The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

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.

Recent Episodes
  • 424- Can The Japanese Internment Camps Happen Again? - Author Kevin Nguyen
    May 13, 2025 – 56:02
  • When Does The WAR End For Us?
    May 10, 2025 – 04:22
  • 423 - Does Academic Freedom Kill Freedom? Viet History Makers - Dao Duy Anh
    May 9, 2025 – 01:10:56
  • 422- What Does April 30 Mean To You? Andrew Lam - Author and Journalist
    Apr 30, 2025 – 55:22
  • 421 - Timothy Linh Bui - How Did We Get Those Films Off The Ground?
    Apr 25, 2025 – 51:29
  • 420 - Đoan Hoàng Curtis - Netflix Series Producer - Turning Point: The Vietnam War
    Apr 23, 2025 – 01:07:17
  • 419 - Is It Worth Living After Defeat? The Last 5 Generals
    Apr 21, 2025 – 01:06:24
  • 418 - Viet Cinema Canon - Duong Dieu Linh -
    Apr 18, 2025 – 01:14:17
  • 417 - Can Our Past Be Reconciled? Alex-Thai Dinh Vo
    Apr 11, 2025 – 01:15:14
  • 416 - What Happened to the Fate of Vietnam’s POW's and MIA's - Dr. Jay Veith
    Apr 10, 2025 – 58:06
  • 415 - Can You Ever Be Vietnamese Enough? - Chris Tran Travels
    Apr 8, 2025 – 49:05
  • 414 - Why Make Movies In Vietnam? Film Director Ham Tran
    Apr 4, 2025 – 01:09:05
  • 413 - Is America Becoming Great Again? Viet Thanh Nguyen
    Mar 31, 2025 – 34:52
  • 412 - Hung La - Who is the "Dangerous Man" Behind Lựu Đạn?
    Mar 26, 2025 – 01:03:06
  • 411- Viet Cinema Canon - Nguyễn Võ Nghiêm Minh - How is Viet Cinema Being Reclaimed?
    Mar 24, 2025 – 01:02:37
  • 410 - Diana Nguyen - From Comic to Clown Doctor
    Mar 21, 2025 – 53:22
  • 409 - Viet History Makers - Can Well-Behaved Women Make History?
    Mar 18, 2025 – 51:14
  • 408 - Viet History Makers - Nguyễn Văn Thiệu - When Do You Give Up in a Fight?
    Mar 15, 2025 – 56:26
  • 407 - Dustin Nguyen - From Vietnam to Hollywood to Vietnam and Back Again
    Mar 11, 2025 – 56:41
  • 406 - Viet History Makers - Can Truth Be The Enemy? A Look into the Life of Nguyễn Mạnh Tường
    Feb 28, 2025 – 01:14:15
  • Alex Duong Needs Our Support
    Feb 25, 2025 – 28:24
  • 405 - Viet History Makers - Who Was Ho Chi Minh? Part 2
    Feb 14, 2025 – 01:05:19
  • 404 - Viet History Makers - Who Was Ho Chi Minh? Part 1
    Feb 5, 2025 – 01:08:11
  • Ep. 9 - SEA Dreams - Why Hasn't There Been Any Modern Asian Soccer Teams in the World Cup?
    Feb 3, 2025 – 53:26
  • 403 - Viet History Makers - Phạm Quỳnh - How to Seduce Your Enemy
    Jan 24, 2025 – 01:16:15
  • 402 - Theresa Bui Costanzo - Rebuilding After The 2025 Altadena Fire
    Jan 18, 2025 – 51:50
  • 401 - Viet History Makers - Can the Vietnamese Think for Themselves?
    Jan 14, 2025 – 01:11:51
  • 400 - Cat Bao Le + Tin Thanh Nguyen - Who Are The Vietnamese Deportables?
    Dec 31, 2024 – 01:05:39
  • 399 - Linda Nguyen - Rose Parade Float Producer, Love 2 Yeu’s “Journey of Dreams”
    Dec 28, 2024 – 39:04
  • 398 - Viet History Makers - Did President Ngô Đình Diệm Deserve to Die?
    Dec 27, 2024 – 01:09:34
  • 397 - Chris Tran Travels - Why Don't We Get Along?
    Dec 24, 2024 – 01:16:57
  • Ep. 8 - SEA Dreams - Is Cryptocurrency a Game Changer or Ticking Time Bomb for Southeast Asia?
    Dec 17, 2024 – 01:05:26
  • 396 - Kevin and Kelly Luu - Writer/Director - Does Our Real Voice Matter?
    Dec 16, 2024 – 51:41
  • 395 - Viet History Makers - Nguyen Thi Dinh - How Does One Become A Revolutionary?
    Dec 12, 2024 – 01:04:48
  • 394 - What Jennifer Did - Can Parental Pressure Be Blamed For Murder?
    Dec 10, 2024 – 48:51
  • 393 - Viet History Makers - Would Democracy Be Good for Vietnam? - Phan Chu Trinh
    Dec 5, 2024 – 01:03:47
  • 392 - Hoang Nguyen - If You Don't Have a Seat At the Table You ARE the Menu
    Dec 4, 2024 – 57:56
  • 391 - Chef Helene An - Mẹ Ðỡ Ðầu Của Am Thực Fusion Mỹ
    Dec 2, 2024 – 01:25:16
  • Ep. 7 - SEA Dreams - FOOD FIGHT! What is the Best National Dish in Southeast Asia?
    Nov 28, 2024 – 56:58
  • 390 - Viet History Makers - Emperor Bao Dai - What Would You Do As The Last King?
    Nov 27, 2024 – 58:46
  • 389 - Vietnamese History Makers - Phan Boi Chau - How Would You Respond to Colonialism Today?
    Nov 19, 2024 – 01:00:31
  • Episode 6 - SEA Dreams - Patrons or Parasites? The Digital Nomad Debate in Southeast Asia
    Nov 15, 2024 – 01:11:59
  • 388 - Dr. Thao Ha - Making Sense of the Divisive 2024 Elections
    Nov 11, 2024 – 01:45:24
  • Episode 5 - SEA Dreams - Can One Culinary Rating System Be Used For the Entire World?
    Nov 5, 2024 – 01:39:46
  • 387 - Sean Porter - Comedian
    Nov 1, 2024 – 01:10:10
  • Episode 4 - SEA Dreams - How Does Common Law and Civil Law Affect Southeast Asian Countries?
    Oct 29, 2024 – 01:15:29
  • 386 - Kevin Pham - Do Vietnamese People Share the Same Heroes?
    Oct 25, 2024 – 01:15:31
  • 385 - Louie Nguyen - How Can We Invest Safely In Vietnam?
    Oct 23, 2024 – 01:01:28
  • 384 - Khue Pham - Getting to the Real Story
    Oct 21, 2024 – 01:24:16
  • 383 - Joseph Nguyen - What Gives Us the Right to Push Vietnamese History and Language in U.S. Schools?
    Oct 18, 2024 – 52:33
Recent Reviews
  • phobowl
    It’s time for us.
    I love Kenneth’s point of view that through all the pain and suffering we have gone through as a people, it’s time that we claim our spot in the sun. If u want to Be in touch with the next generation of Viets this is a must listen.
  • LyzRocks
    Viet Culture!!
    I just stumbled upon this beautiful gem. If you want to learn more about the modern Vietnamese culture this is the podcast for you.
  • Pckes
    THANK YOU!
    As a second generation Vietnamese American, THIS has been the podcast that I didn’t know that I have been waiting for all my life. I have learned and been inspired by all the interviews which are so important as time keepers. Without this podcast, many of these stories will be lost. It is thought provoking, honest and heart felt. Kenneth is a talented interviewer. He talks with much ease and fluidity. His questions are always so thoughtful and respectful to the interviewee even when the topic is controversial. Thank you to Kenneth for all your time, passion and commitment to the vietnamese community! I look forward to listening to all of the episodes and to have conversations with my parents about the topics covered.
  • haontran
    Best podcast for identity
    Ken does a great job to share and explore the identity side of Vietnamese culture. Makes me more proud of being Vietnamese. Go Ken!
  • Rlcypress
    Understanding
    I am almost 60 and thanks to this podcast, I now understand my children’s perspectives much better. Beautiful and insightful work.
  • whetstonefangirl
    Beautiful
    Thank you for this work. It’s such a beautiful show. This last episode with Ocean Vuong was so moving. Thank you.
  • AsianAmericanWoman
    Must listen to!
    This show brings to the forefront the triumphs and setbacks of Vietnamese culture globally. The host is talented in bringing out conversations that are often missed or avoided. His interviews are deep and emotional, bringing forth issues and emotions that are unique to Vietnamese aboard, helping to bridge the gap between the generations and the fragments of vietnamese people scattered all over the world. I feel that this is the beginning of an energy wave that has the power to heal and unite us, and bring our people to stability as an ethnic group scattered by wars to many nations and backgrounds. Kenneth, thank you for effectively starting the conversations so desperately needed. And thank you for allowing us all to explore the wounds and emotions that are so deep rooted within us. Thank you for empowering us with the confidence and pride of being Vietnamese, despite our setbacks. Thank you for educating us on so many things that are blinded to many of us. This show is amazing! The host is amazing!
  • vietnam1636
    Love this show
    Great diversity of guests and long-form interviews allows for in-depth conversations.
  • Dog shoe salesman
    Amazing Show!
    I really enjoy Kenneth’s relaxed interview style!
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