The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

thevietnamesepodcast
  • 4.9 (70)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

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. 15h ago

    538 - Why Did Ancient Vietnamese Warriors Paint Their Teeth BLACK? - Nam C Kim

    Why did ancient Vietnamese communities dye their teeth black—and what did it mean about their identity, beauty, and survival? In this episode, Ken reunites with Columbia University archaeologist Prof. Nam C. Kim to explore the history, science, and cultural evolution of tooth blackening (nhuộm răng đen) in ancient and modern Vietnam. Joined by special guest artist and tattoo historian Andy Hori Tran, Kenneth and Nam examine recent archaeological studies analyzing human remains from the 2,000-year-old Đông Sơn culture. They break down the traditional recipes involving iron salts and gallnuts, the hygienic benefits of enamel protection, and how body modifications like tattooing and tooth staining served as boundary markers between ancient indigenous communities and expanding northern empires. Inside the Episode: The Archaeology of Tooth Blackening: Examining recent chemical analysis of 2,000-year-old Đông Sơn human remains and recipes used for permanent staining. The Trưng Sisters Era: Han Dynasty Chinese chronicles describing southern "barbarians" with short hair, tattoos, and blackened teeth. Cultural Purpose & Hygiene: How resin pastes protected teeth from decay while serving as rites of passage, community markers, and human-versus-animal distinctions. Andy Hori Tran on Đông Sơn Art: Decoding the visual motifs on bronze drums, headhunting depictions, boat scenes, and indigenous identity. Why the Practice Vanished: How Western contact, French colonial beauty standards, and modern shifts led to the decline of nhuộm răng đen in the 20th century. Connect & Follow: Guests: Prof. Nam C. Kim (Columbia University) / Andy Hori Tran 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

    538 - Why Did Ancient Vietnamese Warriors Paint Their Teeth BLACK? - Nam C Kim

  2. 3d ago

    536 - How Did A 20-year-old Vietnamese-Canadian Producer Get A Track On A Drake Album? - FrancisGotHeat

    How does a young producer from Toronto go from making beats in high school to producing for Drake, Big Sean, Eminem, Zayn, and Nicki Minaj? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with acclaimed music producer FrancisGotHeat (Francis Nguyen-Tran). Francis shares his journey of growing up in Toronto as the youngest of six children in a musical refugee family, turning down early bad record deals at 17, and producing "4422" for Drake's More Life project. Francis opens up about his recent trips back to Vietnam, stepping into the Vietnamese entertainment industry as an international guest producer on Anh Trai "Say Hi" (Didn't Say Hi), the difference between AI music and human soul, and his long-term mission to help build the next global wave of V-Pop. Inside the Episode: Roots & Refugee Story: Growing up in Canada as the child of Vietnamese refugee parents who loved music but discouraged making it a career. The Toronto Hustle: Entering the Remix Project at 15, meeting industry lawyers, and flying out to LA as a teenager without taking bad early deals. The Making of Drake's "4422": Creating the moody, atmospheric beat in high school and having it picked up three years later for More Life. Reframing Vietnam: Overcoming family fear narratives, experiencing modern Saigon for the first time in 2025, and discovering the local music scene. Guest Producing on Anh Trai "Say Hi": Working with local artists, adapting from hip-hop/R&B to ballads, and experiencing the versatility of Vietnamese talent. The Future of V-Pop: Exploring what it will take for Vietnamese music to cross over internationally, blending traditional tones (cải lương, bolero) with modern production. Connect & Follow: Guest: FrancisGotHeat (@francisgotheat) 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

    536 - How Did A 20-year-old Vietnamese-Canadian Producer Get A Track On A Drake Album? - FrancisGotHeat

  3. 5d ago

    535 - Why Is A British Basketball Coach Fluent In Vietnamese? - Rob Newson

    How does a basketball coach from the UK move to Saigon and end up speaking fluent Vietnamese? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with British basketball coach and creator Rob Newson. Arriving in Vietnam in 2011 to coach international school programs, Rob quickly set out to learn the language—a decision that unlocked unique cultural connections and led him to become a pivotal early figure in the launch of the Saigon Heat and the development of the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA). Rob shares his journey from coaching youth programs across Vietnam to navigating the early days of professional basketball in Saigon, meeting his Vietnamese wife, and building projects like the Vietnam Basketball Experience Trip (VBET) to connect international players with local basketball communities. Inside the Episode: The Language Journey: Learning Icelandic first, moving to Saigon in 2011, and building fluency through daily interactions and coaching. The Birth of Professional Basketball: Coaching early youth programs, working with local district teams, and helping launch the Saigon Heat franchise. Coaching & Culture: Bridging communication gaps between foreign imports, local Vietnamese players, and international staff. The Evolution of the VBA: How grassroots academies, proximity to pro players, and social media are growing basketball across Vietnam. Personal Life: Meeting his wife in Saigon, navigating cross-cultural relationships, and staying connected to Vietnam from the UK. Connect & Follow: Instagram: @thay.rob 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

    535 - Why Is A British Basketball Coach Fluent In Vietnamese? - Rob Newson

  4. Sep 8

    534 - Is It Time For Vietnamese-Americans To Finally Drop The War Narrative? - Sean O'Harrow

    How can a regional museum bridge global heritage with local diaspora communities? In this episode, Ken visits the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California, to sit down with President and CEO Dr. Sean O'Harrow. Born in France, raised in Hawaii, and educated at Harvard, Sean is the son of a prominent American professor of Vietnamese language and a French-Vietnamese mother. Sean shares his personal journey navigating biracial identity—what he playfully calls being a "bánh bao" or "chặp phở" (a unique mix)—and explains how growing up as an outsider inspired his career in art history and museum leadership. Together, Kenneth and Sean discuss moving past war-centered narratives, engaging Little Saigon's Vietnamese-American community, hosting events like the Viet Film Fest, and managing a major cultural institution that serves diverse global heritage. Inside the Episode: A "Chặp Phở" Heritage: Growing up in Hawaii as the child of a Vietnamese language professor father and a French-Vietnamese mother. The Power of Third-Person Perspective: How feeling like a "forever tourist" shaped Sean's objective approach to art, architecture, and academics. Reframing Vietnamese Art & Media: Moving beyond war narratives to showcase contemporary fashion, film, literature, and culinary culture. Leading the Bowers Museum: Building partnerships with community organizations (Viet Film Fest, VALA, Viet Book Fest) and engaging Santa Ana's diverse demographics. The Role of Museums in a Digital Age: Countering AI and virtual spaces with real-world artifacts, history, and community experiences. Connect & Follow: Institution: Bowers Museum (Santa Ana, CA) 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

    534 - Is It Time For Vietnamese-Americans To Finally Drop The War Narrative? - Sean O'Harrow

  5. Sep 7

    533 - Why Are Children Of The Vietnam War Still Searching For Their Roots? - Derek Powell

    What does it mean to bridge two distinct cultures forged during a time of war? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen sits down with Derek Powell, an Air Force Academy graduate, former corporate executive, and board member of the Amerasian Coalition. Born in Cần Thơ, Vietnam in 1971 to a Vietnamese mother and a Black American Air Force serviceman, Derek shares his journey of growing up in Riverside, California, navigating dual heritages, and returning to Vietnam as an adult to reconnect with his family. Derek opens up about the power of code-switching, the unique experience of attending the Air Force Academy, his emotional reunion with over two dozen family members in Saigon, and the ongoing mission of the Amerasian Coalition to preserve oral histories, support reunification, and build community for children of the Vietnam War. Inside the Episode: Roots in Cần Thơ: Growing up with a Vietnamese mother and Black American Air Force father in military-adjacent Southern California. The Military Journey: Attending the Air Force Academy, navigating identity among minority cadet groups, and mastering code-switching in corporate spaces. Returning to Cần Thơ: Flying to Saigon with Warner Bros. in 2005 and walking into a hotel lobby filled with 30 long-lost family members. The Amerasian Experience: Discussing the spectrum of Amerasian stories, Operation Baby Lift, DNA reunification, and overcoming social stigma. The Amerasian Coalition Mission: Scaling advocacy efforts, archiving oral histories with university research centers, and connecting the global Amerasian 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 Nguyen Visit https://www.vietnamstorybank.com/ today for more information! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    533 - Why Are Children Of The Vietnam War Still Searching For Their Roots? - Derek Powell

  6. Sep 4

    532 - What If Everything You Learned About Vietnamese National Heroes Is Wrong? - Viet Origins w. John Phan

    How did two 1st-century leaders become the ultimate symbol of Vietnamese anti-colonial resistance—and how has their story changed over 2,000 years? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen reunites with Columbia University professor John D. Phan to launch a new sub-series exploring the origins, myths, and evolution of iconic Vietnamese heroes (anh hùng). Focusing on Hai Bà Trưng (the Trưng Sisters, Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị), John breaks down the three primary textual layers that form their legend: from 1st-century Han Dynasty Chinese chronicles (Hou Han Shu) to the 13th-century Trần Dynasty spirit catalogue (Việt Điện U Linh Tập) and early modern folklore (Lĩnh Nam Chích Quái). Together, Kenneth and John examine how historical narratives are reconstructed by each generation, why medieval Confucian scholars reframed Trưng Trắc as a loyal widow, and how modern nationalist movements transformed the sisters into iconic anti-Chinese freedom fighters. Inside the Episode: Defining the Hero: Etymology of Anh Hùng, gendered historical language, and what makes a figure universally revered across divided communities. The Earliest Written Account: Examining the Han Dynasty records (Hou Han Shu), General Ma Yuan (Mã Viện), and the legal conflicts in 1st-century Giao Chỉ (Zhaozi). The 13th-Century Shift: How the Trần Dynasty compiled Việt Điện U Linh Tập to rally supernatural spirits against invading Mongol forces. Confucian Rewrites vs. Modern Myths: Why medieval editors added the murder of Thi Sách to justify Trưng Trắc’s rebellion through a lens of wifely devotion. Reclaiming the Archive: Why diaspora communities and modern creators must dig beyond basic surface folklore to explore pre-modern Vietnamese religious texts. Connect & Follow: Guest: Prof. John D. Phan (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

    532 - What If Everything You Learned About Vietnamese National Heroes Is Wrong? - Viet Origins w. John Phan

  7. Sep 3

    531 - Why Are Most "Jazz Clubs" In Vietnam Completely Missing The Point? - Tri Pham

    What does it mean to be a modern Vietnamese musician in the world of jazz? In this episode, Ken sits down with jazz guitarist and composer Pham Quang Tri (Trí Phạm). Trained at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music and currently studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Trí shares his journey from listening to Japanese fusion and rock to discovering the deep lineage of Bebop, Hard Bop, and improvisation. Trí and Kenneth explore the concept of honesty in music, the contrast between rehearsed performance and spontaneous expression, the influence of K-pop and commercialization on V-pop, and why studying American jazz ultimately pushed Trí to rediscover his own Vietnamese heritage. Inside the Episode: The Gateway to Jazz: Transitioning from Guns N' Roses and Radiohead to Japanese fusion band Casiopea and classical jazz icons. The Concept of Honesty: Why improvisation requires vulnerability, accepting mistakes live, and playing for yourself before the audience. Lineage & Heritage: Studying under the American jazz tradition, understanding the distinct sound profiles of jazz pioneers, and bringing a Vietnamese perspective to the genre. Commercialization vs. Craft: How the rise of K-pop and brand-centric music culture impacts musical identity and artistic depth. Finding Home Abroad: How living in the Bay Area and studying abroad deepened Trí's appreciation for Vietnamese culture and traditional music. Connect & Follow: Website: https://triphamguitar.com/ Spotify: Tri Pham  YouTube: Trí Phạm 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

    531 - Why Are Most "Jazz Clubs" In Vietnam Completely Missing The Point? - Tri Pham

  8. Sep 2

    530 - How Did She Turn A Bankrupt Family Legacy Into A 400K-Subscriber Empire? - Sophie Bao Tran

    How do you honor a legendary family business after it goes bankrupt—and rebuild it for a new generation? In this episode of The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyen reunites with Sophie Baojiang, co-founder of Mommy & Me Vietnamese and daughter of the creators behind the iconic 1990s Vietnamese children's media company Thế Hệ Trẻ. Sophie opens up about growing up inside the family's flagship Asian Garden Mall store, watching her parents navigate the digital shift and ultimate bankruptcy in the mid-2000s, and why they initially urged her not to enter the industry. She breaks down how she overcame creative burnout, launched Mommy & Me Vietnamese from her living room, and expanded it into a 400,000-subscriber digital brand, live performance group, and dual-language early education program. Inside the Episode: The Thế Hệ Trẻ Legacy: Growing up in the 1990s Vietnamese media industry and witnessing the rise and fall of physical media. The Turning Point: Rebuilding a family empire from scratch after a 2005 closure and turning personal motherhood into a new mission. Overcoming Parent Guilt: Why second-generation parents struggle with language transmission and how bilingual education reduces pressure. Scaling Beyond YouTube: Expanding into original music publishing, Spotify streaming, live community events, and interactive early childhood classes in Little Saigon. Remembering Stefan Gauger: A personal tribute to the late director, his community impact, and his hidden philanthropic work. Connect & Follow: YouTube / Spotify: Mommy & Me Vietnamese Instagram: @mommyandmevietnamese 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

    530 - How Did She Turn A Bankrupt Family Legacy Into A 400K-Subscriber Empire? - Sophie Bao Tran
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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
    546
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen

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