GZERO World with Ian Bremmer

Revisiting the Vietnam War 50 years later, with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen and author Mai Elliott

10 snips
Apr 26, 2025
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, known for his acclaimed novel The Sympathizer, and historian Mai Elliott, author of The Sacred Willow, as they reflect on the enduring impact of the Vietnam War 50 years later. They discuss their personal experiences as children in postwar communities and the emotional struggles faced by Vietnamese refugees. The conversation shifts to Vietnam’s remarkable economic growth and its precarious balancing act between China and the U.S., revealing a nuanced path shaped by history, resilience, and diplomacy.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Mai Elliott's War Experience

  • Mai Elliott experienced the Vietnam War mainly through interviews with insurgents and visits to war victims' wards.
  • This personal exposure changed her view, making her want the war to end regardless of who won.
ANECDOTE

Viet Thanh Nguyen's Refugee Upbringing

  • Viet Thanh Nguyen grew up in a Vietnamese refugee community steeped in anti-communism and carried deep feelings of loss and resilience.
  • His parents worked tirelessly, sending remittances back to relatives left behind in Vietnam.
INSIGHT

American Misunderstanding of Refugees

  • Most Americans in 1975 misunderstood Southeast Asian refugees due to limited exposure and war-centric media portrayals.
  • Racism and orientalist stereotypes hindered understanding of the refugees as complex human beings.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app