The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen
A long-form interview show exploring the diverse experiences of the global Vietnamese diaspora, from artists and entrepreneurs to community leaders.
A deep-dive interview podcast that serves as an audio archive of the contemporary Vietnamese diaspora. Host Kenneth Nguyen engages creatives, entrepreneurs, and thinkers in raw, long-form conversations about their personal and professional journeys. The show frequently tackles sensitive themes like intergenerational trauma, mental health, cultural assimilation, and the complex relationship between overseas Vietnamese (Viet Kieu) and those in Vietnam.
“The host's willingness to share his own family history and vulnerabilities creates a uniquely intimate space. Unlike more formal interview shows, Kenneth builds rapport through shared experience, allowing guests to discuss sensitive topics like mental health, parental expectations, and cultural 'cringe' with uncommon candor.”
Who hosts this show
Kenneth Nguyen hosts conversations spotlighting the modern Vietnamese experience from a global, transpacific perspective. The show explores the creative processes, cultural divisions, and personal histories of individuals shaping what it means to be Vietnamese today. A former U.S. Marine and film producer, Nguyen uses his background in storytelling to facilitate deep, often personal discussions on identity, family, and legacy. He also founded Vietnam Story Bank, a service that professionally records the oral histories of Vietnamese families, an extension of the podcast's mission.
Credentials & credits
- Host, The Vietnamese Podcast
- Founder, Vietnam Story Bank
- B.A. in Visual Anthropology, University of Southern California
- Film Producer & Founding Partner, EAST Films
- Founding Partner, Wave Releasing
- Former U.S. Marine
Other ventures
- Vietnam Story Bank
- EAST Films
- Wave Releasing
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01
- 02
- 03507 - Why Vietnamese Folklore Is Secretly A Gory Horror Story? - Kim TranJun 22, 2026 · 1h 02m
- 04506 - How Did Autism Become His Superpower? - Julian DoanJun 19, 2026 · 50 min
- 05
- 06504 - Why Did Vietnam’s Billionaires Study In Europe, Not America? - Thuy DuongJun 12, 2026 · 55 min
- 07
- 08
Notable episodes
- 01509 - Why Do Oldest Asian Kids Always Crack Under Pressure? - Randy Kim from Banh Mi Chronicles
An exceptionally raw and open conversation about mental health, grief, and creative burnout, highlighting the host's ability to facilitate vulnerable discussions.
- 02508 - Why Did He Leave His Perfect American Life For Vietnam? - Dao Huynh from Third Culture
A quintessential episode exploring the theme of 'return,' cultural identity, and the complex dynamics between Viet Kieu and locals in modern Vietnam.
- 03507 - Why Vietnamese Folklore Is Secretly A Gory Horror Story? - Kim Tran
Demonstrates the show's intellectual depth, tackling literary theory, cultural preservation, and the host's personal connection to the topic of devaluing one's own culture.
What you'll be asked on this show
Kenneth Nguyen's interview style is intimate and relational. He often begins by referencing a personal detail, such as a guest's name or a noticeable change in their demeanor, to create a warm opening. He builds trust by sharing his own vulnerabilities and family stories, particularly about his father, which he then uses to frame questions about the guest's own experiences with heritage and parental expectations. He is not afraid to ask direct, sometimes provocative questions about sensitive topics, such as cultural missteps or inter-community conflict, but does so from a place of shared identity. He is a patient listener, allowing guests the space for long, uninterrupted narratives, especially when discussing emotional topics like grief or personal crises.
The format is a one-on-one, long-form interview, often running close to an hour. Kenneth typically opens with a personal observation about the guest or a question about their name or origin story to build immediate rapport. He frequently uses his own life and family anecdotes as a bridge to deeper, more challenging questions.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
9 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
origin
2- Q.01
“Can you tell me about your history coming from Vietnam?”
This is a frequent opening question used to establish the guest's origin story and connection to the homeland.
- Q.02
“Let's start with your name. Can you tell me about it?”
He often uses a guest's name as a personal and disarming entry point into a deeper conversation about identity.
personal
3- Q.01
“How are you doing?”
Used with returning guests, this simple check-in often serves as a launchpad for profound discussions on mental health and life changes.
- Q.02
“How did your parents feel about your decision to [move, change careers, etc.]?”
This question consistently surfaces the theme of intergenerational conflict and parental expectations common in diaspora families.
- Q.03
“You seem more [relaxed, happy] lately. What's changed?”
He uses direct personal observations to invite guests to share their internal journey and recent struggles or triumphs.
backstory
1- Q.01
“What made you decide to study [specific field]?”
Aimed at understanding the intellectual and academic motivations that shaped the guest's professional path.
craft
2- Q.01
“Can you break down what [a specific term, like 'theory'] means to you?”
When a guest uses a niche or academic term, he asks them to define it, making complex ideas accessible to the audience.
- Q.02
“What is it about [Vietnamese literature, art, etc.] that gives you confidence to bring it to the West?”
This question probes the core mission behind a guest's creative or entrepreneurial work.
controversy
1- Q.01
“What are some of the 'cringe' traits you've seen in yourself or other Viet Kieu when returning to Vietnam?”
A provocative question that encourages self-awareness and discussion of common cultural missteps by the diaspora.
Signature segments
- · Host's personal anecdotes about his father
- · Promotion of Vietnam Story Bank
- · Discussions on the term 'Viet Kieu'
- · Exploring the North/South cultural divide
- · Deep dives into a guest's name and origin
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
The show books creatives, entrepreneurs, academics, and community leaders from the global Vietnamese diaspora. Guests are typically willing to engage in deep, personal reflection on their identity, their craft, and their relationship with Vietnamese culture, including figures who have moved back to Vietnam.
- Randy Kimon 509 - Why Do Oldest Asian Kids Always Crack Under Pressure? - Randy Kim from Banh Mi Chronicles
- Dao Huynhon 508 - Why Did He Leave His Perfect American Life For Vietnam? - Dao Huynh from Third Culture
- Kim Tranon 507 - Why Vietnamese Folklore Is Secretly A Gory Horror Story? - Kim Tran
- Julian Doanon 506 - How Did Autism Become His Superpower? - Julian Doan
- Jason Phuc Huu Nguyenon 505 - Is Gatekeeping Destroying The Vietnamese Community Right Now? - Jason Phuc Huu Nguyen
- Thuy Duongon 504 - Why Did Vietnam’s Billionaires Study In Europe, Not America? - Thuy Duong
- Brian Leon 503 - Will AI Actually Erase Real Action Stars By The End Of This Decade? - Brian Le
- Van Tran Nguyenon 502 - Does Staying "Politically Correct" Ruin Your Relationship With Your Elders? - Van Tran Nguyen
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is consistently sponsored by Red Boat Fish Sauce and directly promotes the host's own venture, Vietnam Story Bank, a service for recording family histories. The promotion for Vietnam Story Bank is thematically integrated, often framed as a solution to the very issues of fading history and legacy discussed in the episodes.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch this show
People also ask
- What is the host's real name?
- The host is Kenneth Nguyen.
- What is the format of the show?
- It is a long-form, one-on-one interview show with guests from the Vietnamese diaspora.
- Is the podcast still running?
- Yes, the podcast releases episodes on a regular, near-weekly basis.
- What is Vietnam Story Bank?
- Vietnam Story Bank is a service founded by the host, Kenneth Nguyen, to professionally record the oral histories and legacies of Vietnamese families.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available on major platforms including YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
- Who are the typical guests on the show?
- Guests are typically Vietnamese creatives, entrepreneurs, academics, and community leaders who share their personal stories and expertise.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen - Official YouTube Channelyoutube.com
- [02]Vietnam Story Bank - Official Websitevietnamstorybank.com
- [03]The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen on Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
- [04]Kenneth Nguyen (podcaster) - Grokipediagrokipedia.com
- [05]Kenneth Nguyen | Los Angeles Public Librarylapl.org
- [06]The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen | RedCircleredcircle.com
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