Podcast
The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen
Hosted by thevietnamesepodcast · EN
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.
66episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
492 - Who really took the "Napalm Girl" photo? - Carl Robinson
Apr 2501:01:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ken sits down with Carl Robinson, a man who carried a secret for over five decades that could have rewritten the history of photojournalism. Carl was a key editor for the Associated Press (AP) during the Vietnam War and is the central figure in the Emmy-nominated Netflix documentary, The Stringer.We dive deep into the moment Carl was ordered by his boss to put the wrong name on the iconic "Napalm Girl" photo—an image credited with changing the course of the war. Now 80 years old, Carl reveals the "moral weight" he carried, his journey to find the real photographer in the Vietnamese countryside, and his raw, unfiltered take on the political "balloon" he’s popping in 2026.Inside this high-stakes conversation:The "Whisper" in Saigon: The exact moment Carl was told to lie and why he felt he couldn't stand up to the "celebrity machine" at the time.Finding the Ghost: How Carl tracked down the real photographer, Hoang Van Tuoi, just 24 hours before a near-fatal stroke almost silenced the truth forever.The "Divorce" Theory: Why Carl views the North vs. South conflict as a family divorce where the children (the diaspora) are still fighting over the house.Substack & To Lam: Carl's 2026 insights into the new leadership in Vietnam and why he believes the government is still "afraid" to acknowledge the South’s history.Warding off Dementia: How writing long-form journalism at 80 is Carl's secret weapon for keeping a "lucid" and sharp mind.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
491 - How Much Of Yourself Can You Be In Music? - Bobo.Xx
Apr 2300:46:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ken reunites with Bobo, an artist whose evolution over the past two years has redefined his place in the creative world. From his roots in the Bay Area’s "Haifi" movement to his current life as a high-energy rock musician in LA, Bobo breaks down the "Identity Crisis" that fuels his art.We dive into the rare story of his father, a full-time artist who gave Bobo a unique surname at birth to ensure he would stand out. We explore how martial arts tricking became the foundation for his stage presence and why he uses makeup—inspired by David Bowie—not to hide, but to unleash a primal energy that defies traditional norms.Inside this deep dive into art and identity:The "Ziggy Stardust" Effect: Why an alter ego is the key to liberating yourself from social expectations and anxiety.The Tricking Foundation: How years of "eating shit" in martial arts prepared Bobo for the physical and mental volatility of the music business.Bay Area vs. LA: The cultural differences between growing up in the NorCal "bubble" versus the global "world stage" of Southern California.The "Lone Wolf" Problem: A candid talk about the scarcity mindset among Vietnamese creators in LA and the need for a collaborative community "powwow."The Motherland Shift: Why Bobo is finally ready to take his "brave" energy back to Vietnam’s emerging pop and rock scene.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
490 - Why Is A Ginger So Into The Vietnamese Culture? - Phúc Mập & @littlesaigon.official
Apr 2100:52:54Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ken gathers two unique perspectives on the "State of the Union" for the Vietnamese diaspora: Phúc Mập (Hurley), the Florida-based American whose viral Vietnamese videos are teaching the community their own mother tongue, and Chris, the visionary behind the Little Saigon Official brand.We explore the "shame" that often prevents second-generation Vietnamese Americans from learning the language and the paradoxical rise of the "Ginger ambassador." From the tense political polarization of 2026 to the "dangerously fractured" state of the modern nuclear family, this conversation serves as a raw look at how a community survives 50 years after a divorce from its motherland.Inside this deep dive into cultural survival:The "Shame" Cycle: Why younger Vietnamese are regretful about losing their language and why they’d rather learn from a "foreigner" than a critical parent.Kentucky to Little Saigon: Phúc Mập’s 8-year journey as an English teacher in Vietnam and his transition to translating for nail techs in the American South.The Flag Evolution: A candid discussion on content creators like Jason (Wynn Dynasty) and Mimi who are bypassing 50 years of political lines to focus on "Culture over Politics."The Retirement Reality: Why South Vietnamese veterans are finding more "healing" in 3 weeks in Saigon than in 30 years in the US.Branding the Streets: How the "Little Saigon Official" merch is turning a 50-year-old tourist destination into a legacy worth framing.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
489 - Why "Saigon Bonbon" Could Be Our Cultural Export of 2026? - Saigon Bonbon: Tee Tran, Bao Han, Michael Le
Apr 1600:54:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, Ken sits down with a powerhouse team: Tee Tran, a brand visionary from Montreal; his wife Bao Han, an iconic Paris by Night singer; and Michael Le, a Gen Z digital pioneer with over 50 million followers.Together, they reveal the heart behind Saigon Bonbon, a brand that is much more than a gummy company. It is a "love letter" to Vietnamese resilience, a bridge between generations, and a masterclass in cultural branding. We discuss the viral speech that moved millions, the struggle of living with Parkinson's, and why the next generation of Vietnamese "rebels" is finally ready to take center stage.Inside this deep dive into culture and commerce:The "Kỳ Lân" Philosophy: Why replacing gummy bears with Lion Dance lions (Kỳ Lân) is a daily reminder to celebrate life, not just for Tết.Resilience in Real Time: Bao Han discusses retiring from the stage due to Parkinson’s and how her "alive and positive" energy became the DNA of the brand.The Gen X vs. Gen Z Bridge: Tee explains the shift from "survival mode" to "expression mode" and how the launch party became a magical exchange between legends and newcomers.The "Vanilla of the East": A breakdown of the "Guifao" (elegant) flavor profiles, from spicy street food nostalgia to botanical lychee.Michael Le’s "Sauce": Why a global superstar is looking back to his Vietnamese roots to define his next chapter as an entrepreneur.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
488 - Is "Y Van" More Than Just a Movie? - Khoa Ha
Apr 1400:47:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ken is joined by filmmaker Khoa Ha to discuss her powerful debut documentary, YVAN: The Lost Sounds of Saigon.Khoa, a former graphic designer, spent a decade archiving the work of her grandfather—the legendary composer Y Vân—before ever picking up a film camera. Y Vân was the mastermind behind Vietnam’s most iconic anthems, from the upbeat "Sài Gòn" to the mournful "Lòng Mẹ."In this episode, we explore:The "Un-Jaded" Director: How coming from a design background allowed Khoa to break traditional filmmaking rules and tell a more authentic story.The Quincy Jones of Vietnam: Why Y Vân’s range—from Latin-inspired Cha-Cha-Cha to heavy rock and roll—makes him a unique figure in world music history.Healing a Nation: The movement to move past the political lines of North vs. South and unite under a shared creative heritage.The Archiving Movement: How Western labels and young DJs are sparking a resurgence in "The Lost Sounds of Saigon."Killing Your Babies: The brutal reality of cutting 90 hours of raw footage down to a tight 93-minute feature.Catch the Movement:The film is currently on its 2026 festival run, hitting cities like Atlanta, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Houston. Follow @yvan.film on Instagram for the full screening schedule and a special Orange County event at the end of May.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
487 - Can You Be Funny Without Being Bullied As A Kid? - Tree Vo
Apr 1100:47:39Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ken sits down with the Tree Vo—content creator, theater kid, and the voice of a generation navigating "Vietlish" identity.Tree breaks down her transition from the high-stakes world of HR in Silicon Valley to the creative chaos of Los Angeles. We explore the "trauma-to-comedy" pipeline, why she thinks American bathroom habits are wrong, and the deep linguistic history behind Vietnamese slurs.In this episode, we explore:The "Marble Drip" Morning: How a simple coffee run turned into a graphic lesson on performance anxiety and defensive humor.Silicon Valley to Showbiz: The moment Tree realized corporate alignment was gone and her theater kid roots needed to take over.The Flow State: Kenneth analyzes the neuroscientific precision behind Tree’s seamless blending of English and Vietnamese.Bê Đê & Chinky: A heavy but necessary dive into the etymology of slurs, reclaiming identity, and the "rebel" role of Vietnamese Americans in challenging traditional families.Vietnam Dialects: Tree’s connection to Huế and why the "yelling" volume of Vietnamese content is actually a product of cultural history.AI vs. The Soul: Why ChatGPT can’t replicate the "ashy" reality of human experience or the specific comedic timing of a frustrated Vietnamese mom.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
486 - How Does Self Love and Patriarchy Work Together? Mia from Việt Boss Babe
Apr 600:48:36Tap to summarizeMia is the founder and host of Viet Boss Babe — a media and community platform for Vietnamese women, everywhere. From the diaspora to the homeland, Viet Boss Babe exists for the women who are rewriting what it means to be Vietnamese, on their own terms.Bold, Vietlish, and unapologetic — this is the space for the stories that don't always make it to the main stage. The careers being built, the culture being carried, the conversations happening at the dinner table that never make it online.Viet Boss Babe is where Vietnamese women come to be seen, heard, and celebrated.Follow Viet Boss Babe:https://www.instagram.com/vietbossbabehttps://www.youtube.com/@vietbossbabeWelcome to a special collaborative series between The Vietnamese Podcast and Viet Boss Babe. In this premiere episode of "Đàn ông phải thế" (Men Must Be This Way), host Mia and Kenneth Nguyen pull back the curtain on the silent struggle of the modern Vietnamese man.We explore the "Gia trưởng" (patriarchal) script that has governed Vietnamese households for centuries—the idea that a man is a provider, a protector, and above all, someone who never cries. But what happens when that script is torn up? In a world where women are dominating medical schools and out-earning their partners, where do men fit in?In this episode, we tackle:"Con trai không được khóc": The long-term psychological damage of suppressing male emotions and the fear that vulnerability will "rock the foundation" of the family.The Norwegian Warning: A startling look at how men are being left behind in education, with 99% of medical students in some countries now being women.The "Invisibility" of Women: Kenneth’s honest admission about being raised in a culture where women were socially invisible and the work required to break that conditioning.The 4 Pillars of Radical Self-Love: Mia and Kenneth discuss why meditation, journaling, the gym, and affirmations are no longer "optional" for the modern man.Learning from Gen Z: Why Kenneth believes 50-year-old men need to seek guidance from 30-year-olds to navigate modern relationship dynamics.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
485 - What Does It Take To Be A Good Comedian? - Will Pepper
Apr 100:58:06Tap to summarizeUpcoming Headline Show:Will is headlining his biggest show yet at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco on April 24, 2026. You can find tickets in the following link: https://willpepper.komi.io/In this episode, Ken sits down with Will Pepper (born Will Tieu). You might know him from his viral cooking videos with his "Daddy Pepper," his work managing Jimmy O. Yang’s TikTok, or as the "loan shark" in Uncle Roger’s skits.Will opens up about a life that sounds like a dark comedy script: growing up as a "nail salon kid" in Utah and Phoenix, navigating his father’s past struggles with addiction and gambling, and the surreal moment his family name was changed to "Pepper" overnight just to secure a business loan.In this episode, we explore:The "Pepper" Strategy: The wild story of how Will's dad changed the family's last name on a random Tuesday in high school to sound "more American" for credit applications.Healing Through Ayahuasca: A vulnerable look at how Will and his father used psychedelics to process intergenerational trauma and reconcile their past.The Comedy Grind: Will’s journey from "boring" pre-med student to moving to LA, managing major stars, and finally finding his own voice on stage.Honoring Alex Jung: A tribute to the late Vietnamese comedian and the tight-knit community of "Viets in Comedy" who keep the grind going.The "Retarded" Intelligence of Comedy: Why being a great comic requires high emotional intelligence and the ability to "read the room" rather than traditional book smarts.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
484 - How Is Space Travel Important? - Kevin Quach
Mar 2701:22:03Tap to summarizeKevin Quach was born and raised in the Atlanta, Georgia area to Vietnamese parents. He is an Aerospace Engineer (BSAE Georgia Tech 2014) who has worked the past 3 years for Blue Origin where he tests rockets that will bring humanity to work and live in space. Kevin has previously worked at Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) for almost 8 years, where he tested experimental helicopters for the Marines and the Army. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife Thanh who works in the Vietnamese and American film industry. Kevin also runs a small rental property business in Florida. In this fascinating episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Kevin Quach, an Aerospace Engineer at Blue Origin. From working on experimental heavy-lift helicopters like the Sikorsky CH-53K to testing the next generation of rockets at Cape Canaveral, Kevin brings a grounded, technical perspective to the most "out of this world" topics.Kevin walks us through the rigorous world of flight test engineering, the reality of working in an industry where "failure is not an option," and how the laws of physics finally put the moon landing conspiracy theories to rest.In this episode, we dive into:Debunking the Hoax: Why the math and physics of 1969 are immutable, and the "PR" reality behind famous space photography.The "Jack of All Trades": What it actually takes to become an aerospace engineer and the grit required to survive "experimental" flight tests.Helicopters vs. Rockets: A surprising comparison of mechanical complexity—why mastering the rotor head is a different beast than mastering a launch vehicle.Blue Origin’s Mission: Moving beyond "space tourism" to build an infrastructure "for the benefit of Earth," including manufacturing solar panels from lunar dust.The Lunar Gateway: How the 2026 Artemis missions are creating a "gas station/rest stop" in lunar orbit to enable deep space travel.Aerospace in Vietnam: The potential for VinSpace and Viettel and the complex political "ITAR" hurdles for engineers in the diaspora.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →
483 - Is Our Identity Angst Holding Us Back? - @littlesaigon.official, @discoverlittlesaigon
Mar 2500:42:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode, The Vietnamese Podcast joins forces with Little Saigon Official to ask the ultimate question: Are we too obsessed with our past to build our future?Host Kenneth Nguyen, Chris, and Dana dive deep into the "Identity Loop." We discuss why the diaspora is "addicted to angst" while Vietnam is already moving at light speed, and whether our "biological pull" to the motherland is a gift or a golden cage.Inside this discussion:The "Pungent" to "Fragrant" Shift: How Little Saigon successfully rebranded Vietnamese culture for the world.The "Broken" Fragment: Why we feel a biological need to return to the "ocean" of the motherland.Standstill vs. Creation: Breaking the cycle of "Am I Vietnamese enough?" to start making things that matter.The Global Platform: Why we need an intentional "council" to push the Vietnamese brand forward in 2026.Are you ready to stop searching for who you are and start creating what you want to be? Join the conversation in the comments.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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 https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Transcribe →