PODCAST · society
The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen
by thevietnamesepodcast
Being part of a culture of almost 100 million Vietnamese people living in the world today has its pain and challenges, but it comes with plenty of history, privileges and honors. Join Kenneth Nguyen as he spotlights Vietnamese excellence from around the world. Each episode explores the creative process of individuals shaping the diversity of what it means to be Vietnamese--as a local, born and raised, or as a third culture kid, and even the divisions that separate us politically and culturally. This show can take multiple directions, but what it will do is show Vietnamese from a transpacific lens, in all its facets and complexities.
Episodes
-
547 - Why Is Dustin Nguyen Still Optimistic After 40 Years In Hollywood? - Dustin Nguyen
What keeps a veteran actor and director driven after 40 years navigating the highs and lows of Hollywood and the Vietnamese film industry? In this third-round sit-down at the Viet Film Festival inside the Bowers Museum, host Kenneth Nguyen reunites with actor, director, and industry icon Dustin...
-
546 - Why Did The "Charlie Kirk" Street Sign Push A 35-year Resident Into Politics? - Loan Nguyen
What pushes an ordinary resident and 35-year community member to step into the tumultuous arena of Westminster city politics? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Loan Nguyen, candidate for Westminster City Council (District 4). Loan shares the pivotal...
-
545 - Can A Social Worker Rebuild Garden Grove Without Political Drama? - Hieu Nguyen
How can local politics in Little Saigon move past old red-baiting tactics to focus on infrastructure, human rights, and community safety? In this episode, Ken sits down with Hieu Nguyen—a social worker with over 20 years of mental health experience, co-founder of Viet Rainbow of Orange County...
-
544 - How Did This MMA Fighter Turn Into A Stand-up Comedian? - Tina Pham
What drives a martial artist trained at Montreal’s legendary TriStar Gym to step onto a comedy stage and bare her soul? In this episode, Ken sits down with Tina Pham—a former MMA fighter, personal trainer, and actor turned stand-up comedian based in Vancouver, Canada. Tina opens up about the deep...
-
543 - What If Charging $41 For Pho Is The Key To Respecting Vietnamese Heritage? - Mr. Gao Viet
How does a former boat refugee who lived in a jungle refugee camp for three years end up redefining premium Vietnamese dining in San Francisco? In this episode, Ken sits down in San Francisco with Viet (Mr. Gao), owner of Mr. Gao and Venticello/Ventre. Known across social media for his bold...
-
542 - Why Is Talking About Vietnamese History Gets You Labeled A "Communist" In Orange County? - Tracy La
How do we honor our parents' refugee history while fighting for local policy, rent control, and political representation? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Tracy La, founder and Executive Director of VietRise and candidate for the Garden Grove School...
-
541 - Was Grinding As A PA For 20 Years Worth It For This Vietnamese-American Screenwriter? - Nick Huynh
How does a camera assistant with 20 years in the film business transition into co-writing a feature film released by Sony Pictures Classics? In this episode, Ken sits down with Philadelphia-based writer, camera assistant, and filmmaker Nick Huynh. Nick shares his journey growing up in Northern...
-
540 - $12 Billion A Year! Did Overseas Remittances Secretly Rebuilt Modern Vietnam? - Phu Nguyen
How did family remittances, refugee history, and Little Saigon business shape the long road toward reconciliation? In this episode, Ken sits down with long-time friend Phu Nguyen—Coast Community College District Trustee, community advocate, and member of the historic Hoa Phat family. Phu shares…
more -
539 - Why Are Overseas Vietnamese Still Trapped In The Past While Vietnam Moves Forward? - Nam C Kim PT.2
How does inherited trauma drive our deep obsession with history, identity, and cultural preservation? In Part 2 of this conversation, Ken sits down with Columbia University archaeologist Prof. Nam C. Kim to explore the deep psychological and cultural connection between trauma, passion, and...
-
538 - Why Did Ancient Vietnamese Warriors Paint Their Teeth BLACK? - Nam C Kim
Why did ancient Vietnamese communities dye their teeth black—and what did it mean about their identity, beauty, and survival? In this episode, Ken reunites with Columbia University archaeologist Prof. Nam C. Kim to explore the history, science, and cultural evolution of tooth blackening (nhuộm…
more -
536 - How Did A 20-year-old Vietnamese-Canadian Producer Get A Track On A Drake Album? - FrancisGotHeat
How does a young producer from Toronto go from making beats in high school to producing for Drake, Big Sean, Eminem, Zayn, and Nicki Minaj? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with acclaimed music producer FrancisGotHeat (Francis Nguyen-Tran). Francis shares…
more -
535 - Why Is A British Basketball Coach Fluent In Vietnamese? - Rob Newson
How does a basketball coach from the UK move to Saigon and end up speaking fluent Vietnamese? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with British basketball coach and creator Rob Newson. Arriving in Vietnam in 2011 to coach international school programs, Rob...
-
534 - Is It Time For Vietnamese-Americans To Finally Drop The War Narrative? - Sean O'Harrow
How can a regional museum bridge global heritage with local diaspora communities? In this episode, Ken visits the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, to sit down with President and CEO Dr. Sean O'Harrow. Born in France, raised in Hawaii, and educated at Harvard, Sean is the son of a prominent...
-
533 - Why Are Children Of The Vietnam War Still Searching For Their Roots? - Derek Powell
What does it mean to bridge two distinct cultures forged during a time of war? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Derek Powell, an Air Force Academy graduate, former corporate executive, and board member of the Amerasian Coalition. Born in Cần Thơ…
more -
532 - What If Everything You Learned About Vietnamese National Heroes Is Wrong? - Viet Origins w. John Phan
How did two 1st-century leaders become the ultimate symbol of Vietnamese anti-colonial resistance—and how has their story changed over 2,000 years? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen reunites with Columbia University professor John D. Phan to launch a new sub-series...
-
531 - Why Are Most "Jazz Clubs" In Vietnam Completely Missing The Point? - Tri Pham
What does it mean to be a modern Vietnamese musician in the world of jazz? In this episode, Ken sits down with jazz guitarist and composer Pham Quang Tri (Trí Phạm). Trained at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music and currently studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Trí shares...
-
530 - How Did She Turn A Bankrupt Family Legacy Into A 400K-Subscriber Empire? - Sophie Bao Tran
How do you honor a legendary family business after it goes bankrupt—and rebuild it for a new generation? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen reunites with Sophie Baojiang, co-founder of Mommy & Me Vietnamese and daughter of the creators behind the iconic 1990s…
more -
529 - Is America Already In An Irreversible Free Fall? - Viet Thanh Nguyen
What happens when an academic insider steps away from the institution? In this episode, Ken visits Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen at his home. Following his recent retirement from the University of Southern California (USC) after 28 years, Viet opens up about the realities of...
-
528 - How Did A 23-Year-Old Vietnamese Go From Film School To Running Viral YouTube Sets? - Milky Tran
How do you build a massive online brand without losing your authentic creative voice? In this episode, Ken sits down with writer, director, actor, and content creator Milky Tran. Milky opens up about her creative journey—from serving as president of a high school "destructive decisions" club in...
-
527 - How Did A Ginger Become The VIP Guest At A Vietnamese Catholic Pilgrimage? - Phúc Mập Vlog
In this episode, host Ken catches up with creator and fan-favorite guest Phúc Mập to break down his recent road trip to Marian Days (Đại Hội Thánh Mẫu) in Carthage, Missouri. Phúc Mập shares his firsthand experience as one of the few non-Vietnamese attendees at the massive annual pilgrimage,...
-
526 - Why Did This Young Family Sell Their $3,000/mo Dream Home To Travel The U.S Full-time? - Cuộc Sống Di Động
What if the "American Dream" isn't a 3,000-square-foot house and a corporate job? In this episode, Ken sits down with Vu and Jenny from the popular channel Cuộc Sống Di Động (The Mobile Life). From meeting at a New Jersey car dealership to climbing the corporate ladder in Texas, Vu and Jenny had...
-
525 - Why Is Vietnam Secretly Erasing Its Iconic Street Vendor Culture? - Chris Tran Travels
Does the food we eat define our national identity—or does history make it far more complicated? In this episode, Ken catches up with creator and researcher Chris Tran (Chris Tran Travels) to unpack the deep, unexpected rabbit holes of Vietnamese history, food evolution, and diaspora identity.…
more -
524 - How Did A 16-Year-Old Vietnamese End Up Working With Lana Del Rey's Producer? - Ella Quynh
Is the next generation of Asian-American pop-rock already here? In this episode, Ken sits down with 16-year-old high school junior, singer-songwriter, and rising rock artist Ella Quinn (Ella Quỳnh). Ella reflects on her journey from dealing with extreme stage anxiety and panic attacks to writing...
-
523 - Why Did Dustin Nguyen Of 21 Jump Street Vanish From Hollywood For An Entire Decade? - Dustin Nguyen
In this episode, Ken sits down for a second interview with legendary actor, director, and producer Dustin Nguyen. Dustin reflects on the turbulent chapters of his career—from early stardom on 21 Jump Street, SeaQuest DSV, and VIP with Pamela Anderson, to the tragic car accident that left his…
more -
522 - Did Traditional Asian Parenting Accidentally Ruin Our Ability To Date As Adults? - Olapolala
In this episode, Ken sits down with returning guest Ola for a discussion on modern romance, dating app fatigue, and whether economic and cultural shifts have fundamentally changed what we seek in a partner. Together, Ken and Ola unpack why many 30-somethings in the diaspora feel stuck or...
-
521 - How Did A Former Army Officer Become The Bridge Between U.S. And Vietnamese Defense? - Tuan Le
In this episode, Ken sits down with Tom Le—a West Point graduate, former U.S. Army officer, and current civilian research analyst for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Tom shares his journey from failing out of college as a first-generation student to enlisting in the Army National...
-
520 - What Does It Take To Win An Emmy? - Doan Hoang Curtis
In this episode, Ken sits down with News & Documentary Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and researcher Doan Huang Curtis. Doan reflects on her recent Emmy win for her work on Netflix’s docuseries Turning Point: The Vietnam War. She breaks down the historical research process—from analyzing secret...
-
519 - How Did A Math Teacher Build Vietnam’s Most Iconic Indie Music Venue? - Duc-Anh Vo (Chú Đa)
In this episode, Ken sits down with Duc Anh Vo (Chú Đa / DA), co-founder of the legendary Hanoi Rock City (HRC). DA reflects on his unique journey from studying financial mathematics in the UK to returning home in 2010 and founding a grassroots venue that transformed Vietnam’s independent music...
-
518 - What Happens When A 1975 Refugee Returns To Saigon 50 Years Later? - Phuc Tran
In this episode, Ken sits down with Phuc Tran—author of the acclaimed memoir Sigh, Gone—for a deeply reflective conversation about returning to Vietnam for the first time since fleeing as a two-year-old refugee in 1975. Fifty years after escaping Saigon, Phuc shares the complex emotional…
more -
517 - Can A Latino Leader Win The Race For Mayor In Little Saigon? - Carlos Manzo
In this episode, Ken sits down with Carlos Manzo - Westminster City Council Member (District 2) and candidate for Mayor of Westminster. Recorded live at Little Saigon Official inside the historic Phước Lộc Thọ (Asian Garden Mall), this episode offers a candid, insider-outsider perspective on…
more -
516 - Why a Tech VP Used A Spreadsheet To Find Love? - Olapolala
In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Ola (Ola Polala)—a former AR/VR tech director, multi-hyphenate content creator, and master systemizer. Ola shares her transition from the high-stress corporate world of immersive technology to becoming a prominent…
more -
515 - Why Are There So Few Vietnamese Performers on Broadway? - Evelyn Mê-Linh
In this episode, Ken sits down with classical soprano and musical theater performer Evelyn Mê-Linh. Evelyn shares her journey from a painfully shy child in Orange County to landing a role in the iconic national production of The Phantom of the Opera. Evelyn discusses growing up surrounded by her...
-
514 - Why Being "Mơ Hồ" (Ambiguous) Is an Artist's Greatest Superpower? - Minh H Phan
In this episode, Ken sits down with multidisciplinary conceptual artist Minh H Phan for an expansive, deeply soulful exploration of world-building, performance intervention, and generational memory. Moving beyond rigid social hierarchies and labels, Minh shares how she uses sculpture, material...
-
513 - Why Can’t AI Replace Human Writers? - Ky Phong Paul Tran
In this episode, Ken catches up with 30-year longtime friend Kiphong Paul Tran, a decorated writer, educator, 2024 Teacher of the Year winner, and deeply rooted Vietnamese American culturalist. Kenneth and Paul trace a three-decade arc from their days in youth camps and UCLA's legendary LCC…
more -
512 - Why Are Overseas Vietnamese Chefs Suddenly Moving Back To Saigon?- Helen Nha Van
In this episode, Ken sits down with Helen Nha Van, a brilliant PhD researcher examining the political economy, class dynamics, and cultural friction underlying Vietnam's explosive modern fine-dining scene. Nhã pulls back the curtain on the quiet post-1986 Đổi Mới return migration waves, tracking...
-
511 - Why Was This Vietnamese Recipe Almost Lost To History? - Daniel Nguyen from Sông Cái Distillery
In this episode, Ken sits down for a conversation with a beloved recurring guest: Daniel, the visionary behind Son Cai Distillery. Known globally for putting premium Vietnamese gin on the map, Daniel returns to break down his latest, highly anticipated passion project—the launch of a truly...
-
510 - What Happens When You Get Deported? - Danny Quach
In this episode, Ken sits down for a conversation with Danny Quach, a 1.5-generation Việt Kiều transplant whose sudden deportation to Vietnam became a massive viral sensation on Instagram. Danny opens up about his family’s structural survival blueprint, fleeing Rạch Giá as an eight-month-old...
-
509 - How Did A Solo Trip To Vietnam Cure His Grief? - Randy Kim from Banh Mi Chronicles
In this episode, Ken welcomes back a regular favorite and structural pioneer of the Asian-American audio space: Randy Kim, host of the acclaimed Banh Mi Chronicles. In an intensely raw, beautifully unscripted conversation, Randy pulls back the curtain on the crushing psychological trials that...
-
508 - Why Did He Leave His Perfect American Life For Vietnam? - Dao from Third Culture
In this episode, Ken sits down for a conversation with Dao, the visionary founder of Third Culture Vietnam. Dao opens up about a massive psychological crossroads: despite achieving every standard marker of the Western dream—building a lucrative career and buying a home in California—he was...
-
507 - Why Vietnamese Folklore Is Secretly A Gory Horror Story? - Kim Tran
In this episode, Ken sits down with Kim Tran, the brilliant bilingual founder of Coral Books (Vietnam) and Major Books (UK). Operating from London, Kim is executing a highly strategic literary mission: while Coral Books translates deep world literature into Vietnamese, Major Books does the...
-
506 - How Did Autism Become His Superpower? - Julian Doan
In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Ken sits down for a conversation with Julian Doan, a high-impact life strategist, influencer, and top-tier business coach whose rapid-fire personal development clips have captured the attention of mainstream creators across Instagram. Julian shares...
-
505 - Is Gatekeeping Destroying The Vietnamese Community Right Now? - Jason Phuc Huu Nguyen
In this episode, Ken sits down with Jason, the creative storyteller and visionary architect behind the rising brand Nguyen Dynasty. Jason pulls back the curtain on the grueling reality of juggling a nine-to-five corporate life while editing modern video content. He shares the staggering narrative...
-
504 - Why Did Vietnam’s Billionaires Study In Europe, Not America? - Thuy Duong
In this episode, Ken bridges a massive geopolitical divide to interview Thuy Duong, a 1.5-generation media creator running the highly successful Vietcast out of Prague. For many in the West, discovering the robust, 100,000-strong Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic feels like meeting a...
-
503 - Will AI Actually Erase Real Action Stars By The End Of This Decade? - Brian Le
In this episode, Ken sits down for an interview with Brian Le, the elite martial artist, actor, and fight choreographer whose work you've seen in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the Oscar-winning Everything Everywhere All At Once. Brian pulls back the curtain on his latest...
-
502 - Does Staying "Politically Correct" Ruin Your Relationship With Your Elders? - Van Tran Nguyen
In this episode, Ken sits down with artist, filmmaker, and Georgetown University Professor Van Tran Nguyen to talk about her highly anticipated film, The Mother Lode. Van breaks down the profound sense memories that anchor the diaspora—from sitting encapsulated under a poncho on a rainy Saigon...
-
501 - Why Did An Underground Vietnamese Rapper Leave Saigon To Start Over In California? - Cam
In this episode, Ken attempts his first-ever full episode in Vietnamese with Cam, one of the most respected and introspective voices in the Vietnamese underground rap scene. Cam opens up about his major life transition: leaving his established fanbase in Saigon to relocate to Orange County,...
-
500 - P2 AMA - Is Modern Vietnamese Writing the Colonizer’s Alphabet? Viet Origins w Prof. John Phan
In this episode, Ken brings back Columbia University Professor John Phan for a deep-dive AMA responding to your comments on the history of Quốc Ngữ. John blows past standard historical narratives to explore what "literacy" actually meant in the 15th-century Lê Dynasty, revealing that ancient exam...
-
499 - Who Is The First Vietnamese Woman Mayor of the United States? - Helena Tran
In this episode, Ken travels to the Arrowhead Country Club to sit down with Helen Tran, the historic Mayor of San Bernardino. In 2022, Helen smashed barriers to become the first Asian American mayor in her city's history, and the first Vietnamese American woman elected mayor of any American city....
-
498 - What Happens To Your Mental Health When You Stop Chasing The Destination? - Thalia Tran
In this episode, Ken sits down with the multi-talented Thalia Tran. Since her last appearance, Thalia has transitioned from a teen musician to a "full-blown adult" navigating the high-stakes world of Hollywood. Thalia opens up about her rigorous Muay Thai training, describing combat sports as a...
-
497 - Can An Independent Vietnamese-American Actually Win A Seat In Congress? - Nina Linh
In this episode, Ken takes a rare detour into the world of politics with Nina Linh, a Vietnamese-American candidate running as an Independent for California’s 40th Congressional District (CA-40). In a world defined by hyper-polarization and "Pavlovian" party loyalty, Nina argues that the true…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Being part of a culture of almost 100 million Vietnamese people living in the world today has its pain and challenges, but it comes with plenty of history, privileges and honors. Join Kenneth Nguyen as he spotlights Vietnamese excellence from around the world. Each episode explores the creative process of individuals shaping the diversity of what it means to be Vietnamese--as a local, born and raised, or as a third culture kid, and even the divisions that separate us politically and culturally. This show can take multiple directions, but what it will do is show Vietnamese from a transpacific lens, in all its facets and complexities.
HOSTED BY
thevietnamesepodcast
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen have?
The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen currently has 554 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen about?
Being part of a culture of almost 100 million Vietnamese people living in the world today has its pain and challenges, but it comes with plenty of history, privileges and honors. Join Kenneth Nguyen as he spotlights Vietnamese excellence from around the world. Each episode explores the creative...
How often does The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen release new episodes?
The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 554 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen?
You can listen to The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen?
The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen is created and hosted by thevietnamesepodcast.
URL copied to clipboard!