

The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen
thevietnamesepodcast
Being a part of the Vietnamese culture of over 100 million people comes with plenty of history, privilege, honor, and not to mention painful challenges. Join Kenneth Nguyen as he spotlights Vietnamese experience from around the world! Each podcast 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. Gain insight on the divisions that separate us politically and culturally. This podcast can take multiple directions, but what it will aim to do is show Vietnamese from a transpacific lens, in all its facets and complexities. When you strip away the diaspora, we are #VietnameseFirst.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 11, 2024 • 1h 25min
381 - Nam Phong Dialogues - Kevin Pham and Yen Vu
On this episode of the Vietnamese podcast, Kevin and Yen delve into their academic backgrounds, the inception of their podcast 'Nam Phong Dialogues', and the complexities of cultural identity and post-colonial influences. They discuss the importance of curiosity in travel and the podcasting process, emphasizing the need for community engagement and listener feedback.The dialogue highlights the significance of exploring Vietnamese culture through an academic lens while fostering a sense of connection among listeners. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of education and academic freedom in Vietnam, particularly at Fulbright University.They discuss the impact of a recent disinformation campaign against the institution, the role of Confucianism in Vietnamese governance, and the evolving identity of Vietnamese youth. The dialogue also highlights contemporary Vietnamese heroes and the cultural influences shaping modern Vietnam.Yen Vu is a faculty member at Fulbright University Vietnam, where she teaches modern Vietnamese literature. Her research focuses on 20th century Vietnamese and French intellectual politics as well as Southeast Asian ecocriticism. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, Environmental Humanities, and elsewhere. She also co-hosts a mainstay podcast for the Vietnam studies and Vietnamese American community, called Nam Phong Dialogues.Kevin Pham is an Assistant Professor of Political Theory at the University of Amsterdam. He is the author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024), the first book to bring Vietnamese political thought into the academic field of political theory. He co-hosts a podcast called Nam Phong Dialogues: Casual Chats on Vietnamese History.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oct 7, 2024 • 1h 12min
380 - Joseph Nguyen - Why is Vietnamese Being Taught Side By Side in U.S. Schools?
Joseph Nguyễn received his M.A. focusing on Vietnamese and Vietnamese Diaspora Studies at Columbia University.In 2022, he also received a Fulbright Fellowship to Vietnam. Currently, Joseph teaches Vietnamese American Experiences at CSU Long Beach and is a Vietnamese dual language immersion (VDLI) teacher at Westminster School District, the first K-12 VDLI program in the United States.He is also helped contribute researching for and writing the recently-released Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum, funded by the California Department of Education and led by the Orange County Department of Education.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oct 3, 2024 • 42min
379 - The Rolling 90's Music Scene with Kenneth and Guests Son Vu and Chris Tran
Join Kenneth as he sits down with his former club-promoting partner (1995-1997), Son Vu. Together with Chris Tran from Little Saigon, they take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the vibrant mid-90s party scene in Southern California, reflecting on their shared experiences and the cultural impact of that era within the Vietnamese community.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oct 1, 2024 • 1h 42min
Episode 2 - SEA Dreams - Coffee and Beyond
Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer and the top producer of Robusta beans, but its coffee story is much more than numbers.In this episode of *Sea Dreams*, we explore how coffee has shaped Vietnam's history, economy, and identity—from its introduction during French colonization to its rise as a global export powerhouse.This is not just about coffee; it’s a journey through resilience, innovation, and Vietnam’s unique spirit. We delve into the differences between Robusta and Arabica, beyond the familiar cà phê sữa đá, uncovering coffee's deeper cultural, historical, and economic significance.Join us as we explore the rich intersections of commerce, culture, and history—one cup at a time.Welcome to SEA Dreams! Explore Southeast Asia’s dynamic past, present, and future landscape through the lens of culture, food, business, history, and politics. Each episode deep dives into expert analysis on key events shaping Southeast Asia. Whether you're a professional, student, or curious listener, this podcast will provide fresh perspectives and thought-provoking conversations on the forces driving change in this influential region.An Vo is an Australian-Vietnamese living in America with a background in law, politics, economics, and multi-cultural affairs. He has advised both state and federal government bodies on multi-cultural affairs. Having emigrated to Australia at age 5 An has spent two decades each in both Australia and the US but still retains his Aussie accent.Phillip Van is a commercial director and screenwriter whose work has earned recognition from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Filmmaker Magazine, and awards at festivals such as Sundance and Berlin. Half-Vietnamese and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he draws on his unique cultural background to inform his creative perspective. His projects are currently in development with major studios, including Netflix and Fifth Season.Kenneth Nguyen is a Los Angeles based podcaster and film producer with over two decades in the Vietnamese media space. Kenneth hosts and produces The Vietnamese podcast with over 400 episodes recorded. Kenneth Nguyen is a founding partner of EAST Films.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 30, 2024 • 1h 8min
378 - Eric Nong - A Deep Dive into Vietnamese Cinema with Viet Film Festival Artistic Director
Born and raised in Orange County, California, Eric Nong is a self-taught classic film buff who, since 2021, has served as Viet Film Fest Artistic Director. In addition to his passion for film, he has served as a volunteer and writer for Viet Film Fest 2018. Eric was also a part of Viet Film Fest 2019’s Curatorial Committee and volunteered during the 3-day event. Eric has a BA in Political Science from UC Irvine (also attended UC Santa Cruz for the first two years of undergrad); MPP from UCI with a focus on education and poverty alleviation. In his spare time, Eric volunteers his time to teach English and the U.S. citizenship test to Buddhist monks and nuns. He maintains a blog dedicated to classic movies.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 27, 2024 • 46min
377 - Daniel Nguyen + Katherine Lam - Why Representation Matters
Daniel Nguyen, a trailblazing Oregon state legislator and the first person of color on Lake Oswego's City Council, joins Katherine Lam, a prominent Vietnamese-American leader and Restaurateur of the Year. They uncover their journey from overcoming challenges in the restaurant industry to navigating local politics with a focus on representation. Discussing the importance of diverse voices, they share insights on entrepreneurship, community empowerment, and the impact of personal narratives in inspiring future generations.

Sep 25, 2024 • 56min
376 - Andy Ho aka Hoey Farmer from the V Unit
Andy Ho, known by his stage name HoeyFarmer, is a stand-up comedian and entertainer whose unique journey began in the fields as a farmer for four years. Transitioning from agriculture to comedy, Andy discovered his knack for creating hilarious skits and rap parodies that quickly gained attention for their witty humor. He has a variety of characters including Viet Dad and none other than 50dong the Vietnamese 50cent! & the beloved hoeyfarmer!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 23, 2024 • 54min
375 - Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen - MC Paris by Night
Nguyễn Cao Kỳ Duyên is a Vietnamese-American singer, songwriter, and master of ceremonies and co-host of Paris by Night.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 19, 2024 • 51min
374 - Sahra Nguyen - Founder Nguyen Coffee Supply
Nguyen Coffee Supply was founded by Sahra Nguyen, a 1st generation Vietnamese American and a quintessential Millennial of the “Slash Generation”. Her multifaceted creative career includes being the award-winning documentary filmmaker behind NBC News’ “Deported”, a former restaurant owner and a 2018 Google Next Gen Leader.Nguyen is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, who fled their country by boat after the Vietnam War, and eventually settled in Boston, MA, where she was born and raised.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sep 16, 2024 • 1h 38min
Episode 1 SEA Dreams - What is Pho?
Welcome to SEA Dreams! Explore Southeast Asia’s dynamic past, present, and future landscape through the lens of culture, food, business, history, and politics. Each episode deep dives into expert analysis on key events shaping Southeast Asia. Whether you're a professional, student, or curious listener, this podcast will provide fresh perspectives and thought-provoking conversations on the forces driving change in this influential region.What is pho? A deep-dive into the origins, development, and significance of this quintessential Vietnamese dish.An Vo is an Australian-Vietnamese living in America with a background in law, politics, economics, and multi-cultural affairs. He has advised both state and federal government bodies on multi-cultural affairs. Having emigrated to Australia at age 5 An has spent two decades each in both Australia and the US but still retains his Aussie accent.Phillip Van is a commercial director and screenwriter whose work has earned recognition from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Filmmaker Magazine, and awards at festivals such as Sundance and Berlin. Half-Vietnamese and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he draws on his unique cultural background to inform his creative perspective. His projects are currently in development with major studios, including Netflix and Fifth Season.Kenneth Nguyen is a Los Angeles based podcaster and film producer with over two decades in the Vietnamese media space. Kenneth hosts and produces The Vietnamese podcast with over 400 episodes recorded. Kenneth Nguyen is a founding partner of EAST Films.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth NguyenVisit vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy


