Outside Viet

Send us Fan MailIn the 850s CE, An Nam (Vietnam's provincial name under the Tang Dynasty) came under attack by the Nanzhao kingdom, located in modern day southwestern China. Failures by successive military governors led to the appointment of Gao Pian, a proven general and Taoist. Using his skills and support from his loyal officers, Gao Pian drove out the Nanzhao invaders, retaining An Nam for the Tang. Some local Vietnamese, initially siding with the invaders to overthrow the Tang, quickly changed their minds when the Nanzhao turned their blades on them. Gao Pian then enacted a number of major civil works, including using sorcery to blow open a safer, faster water passage way to China, which improved trade for Annam. Listen for more details of how chicken stirfry saved An Nam and as Jon attempts to soft-pedal Gao Pian's later cult behaviour and war crimes. This is a pre-cursor to the time period where the Vietnamese began to regain their autonomy under local native jiedushi (military governors) and eventually full autonomy under the victor of the first Battle of Bạch Dằng, Ngô Quyền.

Send us Fan MailA unique art, a unifying cultural experience that both North and South Vietnam can agree to, water puppetry was born in the north in the flooded rice fields. Come with us as we delve into the chest deep waters these shows take place in and learn about what Dennis calls Vietnam's greatest cultural achievement.

Send us Fan MailWhy are Viets always late? Why are there so many red bean desserts? Why are western desserts better?  Dennis and Jon explore what should be a culinary treasure trove and find mostly sadness in Eastern desserts.

Send us Fan MailBig Head and Dennis carry on their journey to healthiness (kind of?) and down the coastline of Vietnam. I will also never run out of excuses - for being unhealthy and not telling Big Head and Dennis about Vietnamese stuff. 

Send us Fan MailDennis definitely found a better way of saying Fire Horse. Welcome to Outside Viet and our annual tradition of breaking in the Lunar (Chinese) New Year. We check in folks in the past, we talk random Viet related things in the present and Jon fails to make any predictions about the future.

Send us Fan MailThis is not a paid promotion - Dennis discovered this challenge and signed himself and Big Head for it. Be aware, there is a cost to this challenge ($39 or $70 USD and you get merch with free shipping).Dennis and Big Head have signed up for the Vietnam Coast Virtual Challenge (website: https://www.theconqueror.events/vietnamcoast/). Per the website, it is a an interesting fitness challenge, matching your workout (run/walk or cycle) and linking it to features along the Vietnamese coast. This includes discussions of Local Spots, National Sites, UNESCO sites, historical and cultural information. This is the first of their updates on this journey across 2026. I am still looking to see if I am up for this.PS: Jon is a sphere and this is the best episode yet. An episode on Hanoi is coming.

Send us Fan MailThis is a rough methodology Vietnamese use to figure which pronouns to use to speak with one another. This does not include work place, LGTBQ+, imperial era or any other scenarios beyond contemporary ones.A summary of considerations are:1. Which part of Vietnam everyone is from (North vs. South).2. Are you speaking with family or with a stranger.3. For families, are you talking about your mother or father's family.4. When speaking about someone, they become a reference point to decide which set of pronouns to use.5. Who you are addressing.Realistically, the best solution for Vietnamese who are confused (especially overseas Viets who were not suffused in Viet culture), is to ask an older family member for clarity. Most people will politely correct you, only a few will get mad (they're big jerks). Or follow Dennis' recommendations.PS: Nice little guide for immediate family - https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4TDkCie5p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Send us Fan MailWhat makes bar food (foods to have while drinking) great? Which country has the best? Canada/US, the UK, Vietnam, China? Why do half of Vietnamese bar foods seem like they were made up by drunks? Note: we didn't include the European ones like tapas or German varietals, because we never had them before. We try to stay factual.Whatever your favourite foods that go with drinks are, we hope you enjoy them this holiday season. Stay safe, stay warm and stay inebriated. Merry Christmas and Happy (western) New Year!

Send us Fan MailVinfast is Vietnam's only current domestic car manufacturer and part of the larger Vingroup of companies. Dennis and I go for a spin and cruise through the available information about the company.

Send us Fan MailStories of the Forest People (người rùng) were abound during the Vietnam (or American, depending on your perspective) War. Stories about these tall, powerful and hairy people stretched back to French colonial times. We hope Rolando Bautista found what he was looking for.

Send us Fan MailTwo Vietnamese have reached the highest heights, space. One under the USSR banner and under the Stars and Stripes. We have a chat about them, a failed back up pilot for the SRV cosmonaut and a failed attempt at having an F1 race in Vietnam.PS: Amanda Nguyễn, an American social entrepreneur and civil rights activist (EN Wiki) was able to achieve her dream of reaching space on the Blue Origin New Shepard flight on April 14, 2025. This was after a devastating rape during her college years and due maliciousness or ineptitude in the legal system, her rapist was never charged and the evidence was destroyed. Amanda persevered, dedicated her life to social justice and has become the first Vietnamese woman to reach space. Unfortunately, her achievement was overshadowed by her co-passenger's [Katy Perry and Gayle King] actions and the media circus around it. A related article: https://joysauce.com/in-defense-of-amanda-nguyen-who-actually-did-something-on-the-blue-origin-flight/PPS: The former last emperor of Việt Nam apparently like F1 or going to it because he was living high on the hog. Here is a photo of him attending the 6th F1 Italian Grand Prix after he abdicated the throne ending Nguyễn dynasty. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOge_Re3gLO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==PPPS (26 Sept 2025): "Alex Sawer Hoang Dat clinched the F4 Southeast Asia Championship, becoming the first Vietnamese to win a Formula-level title sanctioned by the FIA." He's 17, hope his future is bright. https://www.instagram.com/p/DPAnjUTjPFd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==PPPPS (03 February 2026): The first Vietnamese (and the first Asian!), Phạm Tuân, who went to space is still alive! From Saigoneer's article - https://www.instagram.com/p/DULNWDgkwYI/PPPPPS (23 March 2026): The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen interviewed F1 hopeful Nguyễn Owen Tangavelou who is the first driver to represent Vietnam at the Macau Grand Prix and secured a win int eh 2024 Eurocup-3 [Google AI summary]. https://youtu.be/EaGYTyuBma0?si=30Rqw2hDl3EtiM3g

Send us Fan MailSeptember 2, 1945 (Hanoi). Hồ Chí Minh declares the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (Tuyên ngôn độc lập Việt Nam Dân chủ Cộng hòa) at the Ba Đình square. This is a major milestone on Vietnam's journey to freeing itself from French colonization and ultimately becoming a free and independent country. The shape that Vietnam would take came from decades more strife and pain.PS: Chris Tran, a significant Việt creator on instagram, posted a celebration message for National Day. He then posted 2 hate filled comments he received from diaspora Viets and a positive response. Read the comments for incredible feedback from all manners of Việts. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOFd3s2kXve/?img_index=6&igsh=MXN5aG1mNzRtZGNpZQ==

Send us Fan MailA question few have asked is, how many Vietnamese have ever gone to the coldest reaches our world, away from the typical hot and humid climate of Vietnam. Bear with us, as Dennis and I explore the questions while making our rounds to both ends of the Earth. Link to the news article about the Vietnamese living on the remote Alaskan islands:https://youtu.be/8oTmyQp-qAA?si=QcVaBdToW4-SlhCe

Send us Fan MailSmelly, salty, savory, the life blood of the Vietnamese, Thais and other southeast Asian peoples. Also a few folks from China, Korea and Japan. We touch upon this crucial condiment in this episode.

Send us Fan MailForget the other lists you ever seen (I looked at most of them), this is the real list of what I think are the worst food (or food categories). Don't think for a second these aren't foods! They are popular for different people. As a bonus, we included some whack foods from neighbouring countries. And Dennis has found out about century eggs (Trứng vịt bắc thảo) and their long partnership with congee. Now who wants to eat some live octupi (thanks Korea)!

Send us Fan MailIs Lý Long Tường (Yi Yong-sang) one of Vietnam's greatest exports to Korea? The Grand Tutor, a general who defeated Mongols invaders twice, showing that it was not just the Trần in Đại Việt who could get it done. The progenitor of the Hwasan Lee clan, his influence has stretched across the centuries.

Send us Fan MailReunification. An innocuous word in general, a dirty word for many overseas Vietnamese. In light of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam being reunified on April 30, 1975 (whether some choose to accept it or not, the reality is that Vietnam is unified as a Socialist Republic), these are some stories from my parents, before and after this seminal event. Many of these memories are fragments that surfaced in the mind of my parents across the years. Often times, neither wants to remember that time period. These are only echoes of what they saw, what they lived through, what they carry. Many others have captured the memories of their parents and grandparents, their aunts and uncles, in books, in audio and in video. These are my family's now and for the future.

Send us Fan MailDuring this 161 year rivalry, the figurehead Lê emperor watches helplessly as two prominent families who helped reclaim the throne from the Mạc usurpers, vie for power. A prelude to the later division of Vietnam in the 20th century, the two halves of Vietnam (at the time Đại Việt or Great Viet) would continue to march forward, or in the case of the Nguyễn, march south, into history until the Tây Sơn uprising. Who was the winner amongst these cousins? Let's hash it out.

Send us Fan MailVaping is banned in Vietnam and we couldn't be happier!

Send us Fan MailChúc mừng năm mới! We ring in the new year by denouncing nagas, learn about characteristics of people born in the year of the snake and rank a selection of those people. Remember, it's the Wood Snake this year.

Send us Fan MailHappy 2025! I learned many songs that I like in the Vietnamese repetoire are actually covers of Cantonese and Mandarin pop songs. In doing the research, I was surprised how some of these Chinese songs were in themselves covers or inspired by other songs (generally Japanese). I also learned how many famous bands started out as cover bands, including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.PS: I feel validated, though I didn't know Như Quỳnh's rendition was a cover of  Faye Wong's cover song. Per Saigoneer: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4EIVjj79Q/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Send us Fan MailGreen gold with a black secret. Do you know where your food comes from? This episode we look at the similarities and differences in the avocado industry between Vietnam and Mexico.

Send us Fan MailOur airport shuttle driver had a lot to say about many things, including some tidbits about Capitalist Lan. Roads were a bit clogged up due to her second trial. SCB branches seemed to be open while I was there. Her trial to appeal her death sentence started at the time of this episode's publication.

Send us Fan MailI thought the rainy season ended after August, but that might just be true for the part of Vietnam where my dad is from. Jen tells me big heavy thunderstorms are normal in October.Part of a series of what you can hear around Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

Send us Fan MailFrom one of the hotels I stayed in, I heard a unique bird call. I have no idea what it is and I cannot find a non-Americas, non-European app for identification.Part of a series of what you can hear around Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).

Send us Fan MailNo Julie Andrew here. Dennis lays out his thoughts on “Vietnam’s” epic, the Tale of Kieu, a story of Confucian morals.

Send us Fan MailWe talk about the struggles about becoming a war chief and if there is an exchange rate between elephants and horses. A follow up to this episode is included at the start of the avocado episode.

Send us Fan MailJust a ramble about the various Vietnamese gang members I’ve met over the years.

Send us Fan MailWe, to Dennis' chagrin, talk about Vietnam's most famous cuisine, phở (if I hear an Oh sound, I will hunt you down). It's origins are murky, but whether it be French, Chinese or a hybridization with local recipes, there's no denying it's significance. Ramen (a completely different type of soup, listen and learn), takes a back seat to this savoury bowl of noodles. 

Send us Fan MailWe delve into the SCB saga, the greatest criminal trial in Vietnam's, in SE Asia's history and the lady at the center of it all, Capitalist Lang (Trương Mỹ Lan). Post script: On June 6, Al Jazeera reports more charges were filed against Capital Lang for transferring $4.5 billion USD in and out of Vietnam (https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/6/6/vietnam-tycoon-sentenced-to-death-could-face-new-charges-state-media-say).

Send us Fan MailAs part of our ongoing gratitude to our listeners in Frankfurt Am Main, we thought we'd have a look at how Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) stacks up to this powerhouse of a German city.

Send us Fan MailWe talked about Sơn Tinh (Sonny) previously, but in this episode, Dennis and I do an overview of the other three immortals. This includes Sonny's brother in law, Chử Đồng Tử  (Chewie).

Send us Fan MailWe talk about lemongrass, Dennis' favourite herb and  its origin and its uses. There are a lot.

Send us Fan MailI never fulfilled the Viet stereotype in Canada, but I surprisingly met a number of people who did.PS -  I was told viet folks will move to edmonton, calgary, saskatoon, etc. from vancouver / toronto, to escape heat from the police there

Send us Fan MailIt is weird on what Vietnamese will like from outside the nation. For example, in 2023, Jen tells me the popular foreign beer of choice is...Budweiser. For Vietnamese expats (Viet Kieu), Bud was popular in the 80s and 90s. Music wise, Hotel California seems to have made a lasting impression on older Vietnamese, including making me hate the song because it was played ad nauseum during the parties my dad went to in the 80s and 90s. While drinking Bud.Also, Vietnamese have a special talent in making upbeat depressing songs into ads and dance remixes...

Send us Fan MailSome random notes from my 76 (actually 6, no Dennis, I'm telling the truth) trips to Vietnam. Also a way to segue into our follow up podcast series about Vietnam. 

Send us Fan MailOne of the Four Immortals, who's legendary battles over a beautiful princess, describes how and why Vietnam lives through a monsoon season. Wrongly called a genie (djinn) by Wikipedia, Sonny (as we inappropriately call him) is more rightly called a Saint, a chief figure in the beliefs of the Red River Delta peoples. These peoples are the ancestors of the modern Vietnamese.  His daughter is of great importance too, being a ruler of one of the Four Palaces.

Send us Fan MailDennis and I talk about former Buon  Don Elephant Races, how it would have been great with coffee (it's part of a larger coffee festival).

Send us Fan MailThe first of my 76 trips (it's actually 6 with a possible 7th coming at some point. Wait, Dennis is yelling at me about something), where I met my dad's mom for the first and only time. The bro went with and he hated it. We both went again in 2013 and he still hated it, but at least I got him to eat tasty food that wasn't fried potatoes or rice with soy sauce.PS: This is a redux of Season 1, Episode 25 "Nam in 1994".

Send us Fan MailThe first in a series on notable Vietnamese persons. In this episode, we briefly go over (based on what Wikipedia made available):The Trưng SistersPhùng Thị Chính Lady Triệu Lê LợiTrần Hưng ĐạoBùi Thị XuânHồ Chí Minh andVõ Nguyên Giáp.We also discuss what the French brought to the table after their conquest of Vietnam while reminiscing on the great bánh mì Dennis got from a Vietnamese food place in a Saskatoon gas station.PS: Apparently this is our 100th episode (including our old PCP and Your Internet Uncle episodes). Huge Danke to our listener in Frankfurt Am Main, Hesse, Deustchland. There might be a semi-regular listener in Ashburn, Virginia. We're grateful if you keep listening too. Off to record the next 100. 

Send us Fan MailNot the paying kind, but the saving kind. Recognizing the folks who brought my (and a bunch of other) Viet families out of the Malaysian refugee camp to Canada.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to "Why an S and not a V?" - a podcast about Vietnam, from the perspective of a foreign born Vietnamese trying to learn about his homeland. This episode focuses on the foundation of Vietnam, a story wrapped in the mists of time and legend. I briefly talk about Lac Long Quan (the Dragon Prince) and Au Co (the Snow Fairy), called the Father and Mother of Vietnam. Au Co birthed an egg from which 100 children sprang forth, continuing the  Hong Bang dynasty of the Hung Kings founded by Lac Long Quan's father. This dynasty lasted 2,319 years until the fall of the nation of Van Lang. The Vietnamese government made the Hùng Kings' Temple Festival (Vietnamese: Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương or Lễ hội đền Hùng) an official national holiday in 2007. In 2023, it was on 29 April.

Send us Fan MailA redux and more focused episode on the types of strokes, including the one I had.PS: A redux of season 1, episode 3 "Stroke!".