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.

  1. 18h ago

    546 - Why Did The "Charlie Kirk" Street Sign Push A 35-year Resident Into Politics? - Loan Nguyen

    What pushes an ordinary resident and 35-year community member to step into the tumultuous arena of Westminster city politics? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Loan Nguyen, candidate for Westminster City Council (District 4). Loan shares the pivotal moment that triggered her campaign: witnessing the city council's controversial decision to add a "Charlie Kirk Way" sign alongside All American Way and seeing incumbent leadership disregard community pushback. Loan breaks down her 28-year career as a financial controller, how she applies budget management and fiscal discipline to city oversight, her concerns regarding local property decisions (such as the Rose Center Theater and municipal library spaces), and her proposals to bring youth centers and mobile home rent stabilization to Westminster. Inside the Episode: The Catalyst: How the "Charlie Kirk Way" street sign controversy in Westminster inspired Loan to attend city council meetings and run for office. Bringing Civility to City Hall: Why Loan believes Westminster needs quiet, structured leadership rather than shouting and political theater on the dais. Fiscal Accountability: Applying 28 years of corporate financial controller experience to scrutinize city contracts, property management, and municipal budgets. Community Priorities: Proposing new youth centers for District 4 and advocating for rent stabilization for mobile home residents on fixed incomes. Local Governance & Ethics: Discussing transparency in public property allocations, city council decision-making, and keeping special interests out of local government. Connect & Follow:Guest: Loan Nguyen (Candidate for Westminster City Council, District 4) Official Website: Loan Nguyen for Westminster City Council   The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    546 - Why Did The "Charlie Kirk" Street Sign Push A 35-year Resident Into Politics? - Loan Nguyen

  2. 1d ago

    545 - Can A Social Worker Rebuild Garden Grove Without Political Drama? - Hieu Nguyen

    How can local politics in Little Saigon move past old red-baiting tactics to focus on infrastructure, human rights, and community safety? In this episode, Ken sits down with Hieu Nguyen—a social worker with over 20 years of mental health experience, co-founder of Viet Rainbow of Orange County (VROC), and candidate for Garden Grove City Council (District 4). Hieu discusses his journey from immigrating to the US in 1993 to becoming an advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion and immigrant safety. He shares how his background in trauma-informed social work informs his perspective on Little Saigon’s older generation, why he advocates for local infrastructure like pothole repairs and park safety, and how he approaches door-knocking with constituents across the political spectrum. Inside the Episode: Why Run for Office?: Transitioning from 20 years of community organizing and social work to local government in Garden Grove's District 4. Reframing Trauma in Little Saigon: How untreated PTSD from war and displacement affects political views in the older generation, and why empathy is crucial. Local Issues vs. National Politics: Focusing on core city responsibilities—repairing roads, improving parks, addressing unhoused populations, and city services. Pioneering Representation: Fighting for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Little Saigon Tet Parade and running as an openly gay candidate and parent. The State of Local Elections: Addressing campaign sign removal, political transparency, and bridging generational divides at the doorstep. Connect & Follow: Guest: Hieu Nguyen (@hieu4gardengrove) The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    545 - Can A Social Worker Rebuild Garden Grove Without Political Drama? - Hieu Nguyen

  3. 2d ago

    544 - How Did This MMA Fighter Turn Into A Stand-up Comedian? - Tina Pham

    What drives a martial artist trained at Montreal’s legendary TriStar Gym to step onto a comedy stage and bare her soul? In this episode, Ken sits down with Tina Pham—a former MMA fighter, personal trainer, and actor turned stand-up comedian based in Vancouver, Canada. Tina opens up about the deep childhood dynamics, family trauma, and personal turning points that shaped her drive for raw honesty and performance under pressure. Tina shares the harrowing story of surviving a 2016 fatal car accident that forced her to question her life’s direction—leading her to shave her head, leave modeling behind, pack her bags for TriStar Gym in Montreal, and eventually pivot to stand-up comedy. Together, Kenneth and Tina explore the psychological overlap between fighting and comedy, learning to wield internal emotions, navigating traditional industry gatekeeping, and using digital platforms to build an authentic audience on her own terms. Inside the Episode: Fighters Turned Comedians: Examining the shared psychology of fighting and stand-up—direct feedback, timing, real-time pressure, and performance under resistance. The 2016 Turning Point: Surviving a tragic accident, dealing with survivor’s guilt, shaving her head, and breaking away from expectations of being the "golden child." Inside TriStar Gym: Moving to Montreal to train at the world-famous gym home to UFC legend Georges St-Pierre. Emotional Drive vs. Technique: How grit, internal rage, and family history shape combat outcomes and how to control emotion without being blindsided. The Art of Stand-Up Comedy: Using humor to explore uncomfortable truths, navigating comedy hierarchy, and building an independent fanbase using social media. Connect & Follow: Instagram: @tinapham.co The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    544 - How Did This MMA Fighter Turn Into A Stand-up Comedian? - Tina Pham

  4. 4d ago

    543 - What If Charging $41 For Pho Is The Key To Respecting Vietnamese Heritage? - Mr. Gao Viet

    How does a former boat refugee who lived in a jungle refugee camp for three years end up redefining premium Vietnamese dining in San Francisco? In this episode, Ken sits down in San Francisco with Viet (Mr. Gao), owner of Mr. Gao and Venticello/Ventre. Known across social media for his bold personality, luxury dishes, and $41 bowl of Phở, Viet opens up about the deeply personal backstory he rarely shares publicly. Viet breaks down his family’s journey leaving Vietnam in 1990 after 10 failed attempts, surviving three years in Indonesia’s Galang refugee camp selling bánh mì at age 12, arriving in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood to live with five family members in a tiny studio, and aggressively cold-calling his way into a successful career as a financial advisor before buying his first restaurant on a whim. Inside the Episode: Leaving Vietnam in 1990: Surviving 10 failed escape attempts, a three-day boat journey without food or water, and three years in Galang Refugee Camp. Arriving in the Tenderloin: The reality check of moving to a tiny San Francisco studio apartment with five family members and sleeping on a couch for seven years. From Finance to Food: Cold-calling 10 hours a day as a young financial advisor without fluent English, earning a signing bonus, and buying his first restaurant on Grand Avenue. The Business of $41 Phở: Breaking down food costs, 24-hour bone broths, rejecting the "cheap food" stereotype, and elevating Vietnamese cuisine to Italian/Japanese pricing. Managing Expectations: How early life lessons shaped his philosophy on authentic social media, realistic food presentation, and never cheating the customer. Connect & Follow: Guest: Viet / Mr. Gao (@mr.gaoviet) The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    543 - What If Charging $41 For Pho Is The Key To Respecting Vietnamese Heritage? - Mr. Gao Viet

  5. Sep 25

    542 - Why Is Talking About Vietnamese History Gets You Labeled A "Communist" In Orange County? - Tracy La

    How do we honor our parents' refugee history while fighting for local policy, rent control, and political representation? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Tracy La, founder and Executive Director of VietRise and candidate for the Garden Grove School Board. Years after first meeting at an Oregon symposium on the 50th anniversary of the war, Kenneth and Tracy reunite for a candid, wide-ranging discussion on the political realities facing the Vietnamese American community in Little Saigon. Tracy shares her personal backstory—from witnessing workplace exploitation as a teenager in San Diego to becoming student body president at UCI—and explains why she founded VietRise after the 2016 election. Together, Kenneth and Tracy tackle complex local issues: confronting the weaponization of red-baiting in Orange County, organizing around senior mobile home evictions, expanding history education, and navigating the emotional tension between refugee memory and modern political activism. Inside the Episode: Meeting in Oregon: Reflecting on a 2023 academic symposium and contrasting perspectives on reconciliation between the diaspora and Vietnam. The Root of Activism: How early childhood experiences seeing immigrant parents exploited in low-wage labor sparked a lifelong commitment to systemic change. Why VietRise Was Founded: Organizing young Vietnamese Americans post-2016 to address local housing, eviction defense, and community empowerment. Dismantling Red-Baiting: Why using "communist" accusations as a political weapon hurts local policy debates and how VietRise expands conversation around history. Running for Garden Grove School Board: Addressing senior housing crises, supporting public education, and creating pathways beyond traditional higher education. Connect & Follow: Guest: Tracy La / VietRise (@vietriseoc) The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    542 - Why Is Talking About Vietnamese History Gets You Labeled A "Communist" In Orange County? - Tracy La

  6. Sep 21

    541 - Was Grinding As A PA For 20 Years Worth It For This Vietnamese-American Screenwriter? - Nick Huynh

    How does a camera assistant with 20 years in the film business transition into co-writing a feature film released by Sony Pictures Classics? In this episode, Ken sits down with Philadelphia-based writer, camera assistant, and filmmaker Nick Huynh. Nick shares his journey growing up in Northern Virginia, getting his start in theater at George Mason University, grinding through camera department roles for two decades on East Coast sets, and co-writing the quirky indie comedy-drama Ha Chan Shake Your Booty with director Joseph Kubota Vladica. Nick opens up about the writing process during the pandemic, crafting emotional storylines around grief and ballroom dance, navigating career pivots in a shifting film industry, and the importance of representation and small independent storytelling. Inside the Episode: East Coast Roots: Growing up in Northern Virginia (Falls Church) and discovering a passion for story over acting at a New York Film Academy summer intensive. Two Decades in Camera: Spending 20 years as a camera assistant, learning the nuts and bolts of filmmaking, and building a long-term career. Writing Ha Chan Shake Your Booty: Partnering with long-time friend Joseph Kubota Vladica to write a film loosely inspired by amateur ballroom dance culture, grief, and Latin dance. Balancing Comedy & Drama: Crafting awkward, cringey, yet deeply human moments that capture how people navigate loss and relationships. The State of the Film Industry: Navigating industry shifts, career longevity, and the release of their film across 500+ theaters via Sony Pictures Classics. Connect & Follow: Film: Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! (Sony Pictures Classics) The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    541 - Was Grinding As A PA For 20 Years Worth It For This Vietnamese-American Screenwriter? - Nick Huynh

  7. Sep 18

    540 - $12 Billion A Year! Did Overseas Remittances Secretly Rebuilt Modern Vietnam? - Phu Nguyen

    How did family remittances, refugee history, and Little Saigon business shape the long road toward reconciliation? In this episode, Ken sits down with long-time friend Phu Nguyen—Coast Community College District Trustee, community advocate, and member of the historic Hoa Phat family. Phu shares his family’s harrowing journey leaving Vietnam by boat in 1981, being rescued by the Chinese military at sea, and arriving in Southern California to open Hoa Phat Fabric & Gifts, which became the first licensed Vietnamese money transfer business in California in 1998. Together, Kenneth and Phu discuss the massive economic impact of remittance dollars sent back to Vietnam, the political and cultural shifts among young Vietnamese Americans in Little Saigon, the need for an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission to acknowledge the pain and history of both sides of the war, and Phu's groundbreaking work introducing ethnic studies and community initiatives as a college trustee. Inside the Episode: The Hoa Phat Origin Story: Escaping Vietnam by boat in 1981, Hong Kong UN refugee camps, and building a 42-year legacy business in Little Saigon. The Remittance Economy: Navigating trade embargoes through Air France cargo and growing into a licensed financial institution sending billions to Vietnam. Reconciliation & Truth Commissions: Why healing post-civil war requires bilateral acknowledge of history, pain, and legitimacy from both sides. Shifting Demographics in Little Saigon: How new waves of international students from Vietnam and younger generations are reshaping local perspectives on history and community. Representation in Public Office: Serving as the first Vietnamese trustee on the Coast Community College District Board and expanding Vietnamese American experience curriculum. Connect & Follow: Guest: Phu Nguyen (Coast Community College District Trustee) The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    540 - $12 Billion A Year! Did Overseas Remittances Secretly Rebuilt Modern Vietnam? - Phu Nguyen

  8. Sep 17

    539 - Why Are Overseas Vietnamese Still Trapped In The Past While Vietnam Moves Forward? - Nam C Kim PT.2

    How does inherited trauma drive our deep obsession with history, identity, and cultural preservation? In Part 2 of this conversation, Ken sits down with Columbia University archaeologist Prof. Nam C. Kim to explore the deep psychological and cultural connection between trauma, passion, and heritage. Kenneth and Nam discuss how family displacement during the Cold War and the 1975 refugee exodus shaped their lifelong obsession with archaeology and storytelling. They also break down the anthropology of human conflict—from ancient hand-to-hand combat to modern drone warfare and AI—and contrast the trauma-informed perspective of the overseas diaspora with the forward-looking mindset of youth in modern Vietnam. Inside the Episode: Trauma, Obsession, and Art: How inherited family trauma fuels a lifelong drive for cultural preservation, archaeology, and creative work. The Anthropology of Warfare: Nam’s research on why humans fight, the shift from proximate combat to distant drone/AI technology, and the ancient roots of peacemaking. Diaspora vs. Modern Vietnam: Contrasting the trauma-driven cultural preservation of overseas Vietnamese with the forward-moving mindset of young people in Vietnam today. Cultural Kinship & Belonging: Why humans naturally seek identity and connection through food, traditions, and historical memory. Inside the Phúc Tạp Project: Reflections on Kenneth and Nam's ongoing documentary collaboration documenting the complexities of Vietnamese identity. Connect & Follow: Guest: Prof. Nam C. Kim (Columbia University) The Vietnamese Podcast: Instagram / TikTok @thevietnamesepodcast -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    539 - Why Are Overseas Vietnamese Still Trapped In The Past While Vietnam Moves Forward? - Nam C Kim PT.2
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4.9
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    thevietnamesepodcast
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    554
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

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