In this episode of Southeast Asian Dreams, we tackle one of the region’s most pressing modern debates: is cryptocurrency a game-changer or a ticking time bomb for Southeast Asia's future? With its potential to revolutionize finance, empower the unbanked, and attract tech investment, crypto holds immense promise. But risks like volatility, scams, and regulatory challenges loom large.

Join hosts Kenneth Nguyen, An Vo and Phil Van as they explore how cryptocurrency is reshaping Southeast Asia's economic landscape, weighing both the hype and the hard realities.

From financial inclusion in remote areas to concerns about digital security and environmental costs, we dissect the key metrics driving the crypto conversation in the region. Will digital currencies unlock new opportunities or create deeper inequalities?

Welcome to SEA Dreams! Explore Southeast Asia’s dynamic past, present, and future landscape through the lens of culture, food, business, history, and politics. Each episode deep dives into expert analysis on key events shaping Southeast Asia. Whether you're a professional, student, or curious listener, this podcast will provide fresh perspectives and thought-provoking conversations on the forces driving change in this influential region.

An Vo is an Australian-Vietnamese living in America with a background in law, politics, economics, and multi-cultural affairs. He has advised both state and federal government bodies on multi-cultural affairs. Having emigrated to Australia at age 5 An has spent two decades each in both Australia and the US but still retains his Aussie accent.

Phillip Van is a commercial director and screenwriter whose work has earned recognition from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Filmmaker Magazine, and awards at festivals such as Sundance and Berlin. Half-Vietnamese and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he draws on his unique cultural background to inform his creative perspective. His projects are currently in development with major studios, including Netflix and Fifth Season.

Kenneth Nguyen is a Los Angeles based podcaster and film producer with over two decades in the Vietnamese media space. Kenneth hosts and produces The Vietnamese podcast with over 400 episodes recorded. Kenneth Nguyen is a founding partner of EAST Films.

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kevin and Kelly Luu are a writer-director duo raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts and based in Los Angeles. Inspired by their parents' harrowing journey to America, as well as their upbringing in an underserved, predominantly non-Asian community, the brothers are drawn to telling stories about identity and overcoming trauma in extraordinary ways.

They graduated from USC’s MFA film program where they wrote and directed several award-winning short films, including REAL BOY, which won best Sci-Fi film at USC’s First Look Festival, and THE MATTRESS, which received the SCA Edward Small Directing Award and was invited to premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

The brothers were both mentees of Ryan Murphy’s Half Initiative and have developed projects with notables such as Cj Entertainment, CBS Studios, 20k Productions, and 1community.

The two also wrote an original multicultural, supernatural narrative podcast series for Gunpowder & Sky. More recently, Kevin and Kelly were selected to take part in Soo Hugh’s and Universal Content Productions’ (UCP) highly competitive inaugural writing program, The Thousand Miles Project.

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity, in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history.

In this episode of Viet History Makers, we ask, "How Does Someone Become A Revolutionary?" We turn our focus to Nguyễn Thị Định, a significant figure in Vietnam’s history, whose journey from a rural village to becoming a top military leader for the Viet Cong—and later a vice president of unified Vietnam—remains a subject of both admiration, debate and deep pain for others.

Join us as we carefully navigate Nguyễn Thị Định's life and legacy, and reflect the deep complexities of Vietnam’s war-torn past. While she is celebrated by many as a symbol of resistance and resilience, her story is also deeply intertwined with the profound loss of those who fought to protect a different vision for Vietnam. In this episode, we explore her path to communism and the forces that shaped her, acknowledging the diverse perspectives on her contributions to Vietnam’s history.

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Kevin D. Pham is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. His research introduces Vietnamese political thought to the academic field of political theory, showing how Vietnamese thinkers challenge and enhance conventional Western understandings of important political concepts. 

He co-hosts Nam Phong Dialogues, a podcast in which he and Yen Vu have casual chats about Vietnamese history and being Vietnamese American. He is the author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024). 

Kevindoanpham.com

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jeremy Grimaldi, Executive Producer of Netflix’s true-crime documentary What Jennifer Did, is an award-winning author, celebrated for A Daughter’s Deadly Deception: The Jennifer Pan Story. Based in Toronto, he is a seasoned crime reporter and co-founder of the production company Matchpoint Media.

Paul Nguyen is an award-winning activist and filmmaker from Toronto's Jane-Finch area. In 2004, he created Jane-Finch.com to change negative stereotypes about his community. Within a short period, his grassroots project became a national success story.

Paul's impact is recognized by political and community leaders across Canada. He is a public speaker and media commentator on race, crime and youth issues.

In 2006, Paul was the Associate Producer for CBC's The Fifth Estate following the lives of gang-involved youth in the Gemini Award-nominated Lost in the Struggle. He was the Associate Producer for Global's Revealed: Missing the Target (2010), CBC's Lost in the Struggle: The Next Chapter (2012) and CBC's Year of the Gun (2019).

In 2018, he was a recipient of Canada's Volunteer Award. In 2018 and 2019, he won back-to-back CEMA Awards for his stories in the ethnic press. In 2020, CBC Radio aired Rap Battle, an hour-long podcast about the journey of Jane-Finch.com. In 2021, Paul received the Star Metroland Media Urban Hero Award. In 2024, Paul co-produced the Netflix global hit What Jennifer Did.

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity, in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history.

In this episode of Viet History Makers, we ask, "Would Democracy Be Good for Vietnam?" We turn our focus to Phan Chu Trinh, one of Vietnam's most influential thinkers and reformers, whose vision for democracy and national modernization continues to resonate. A tireless advocate for social change, Phan Chu Trinh sought to reinterpret Vietnam’s Confucian heritage in light of democratic ideals, offering a bold blueprint for political and cultural renewal in the early 20th century.

Join us as we trace his journey from a scholar steeped in traditional values to a revolutionary voice for progress. We'll explore how he challenged colonial oppression, critiqued monarchy, and envisioned a future where democracy and Confucian principles could coexist. If you’re curious about the philosophical underpinnings of Vietnam’s modern history, the intersections of tradition and reform, or the life of a leader who dared to dream beyond his time, this episode dives deep into the legacy of a man who reshaped the intellectual landscape of his nation.

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Kevin D. Pham is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. His research introduces Vietnamese political thought to the academic field of political theory, showing how Vietnamese thinkers challenge and enhance conventional Western understandings of important political concepts. 

He co-hosts Nam Phong Dialogues, a podcast in which he and Yen Vu have casual chats about Vietnamese history and being Vietnamese American. He is the author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024). 

Kevindoanpham.com

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hoàng Nguyễn is the Director of External Affairs at AAPI Equity Alliance, a co-founding partner of the national organization Stop AAPI Hate. He currently leads the organization’s external and government relations along with policy advocacy to benefit the 1.7 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County. Previously, Hoàng served as a policy and political aide to Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who has governing jurisdiction over more than 2 million residents within 20 cities and 23 unincorporated communities in LA County and 25 neighborhoods in LA City.

While there, he oversaw a variety of policy and community issues, including immigration, AAPI affairs, older adults, redistricting, and board operations. Hoàng led the establishment of the countywide LA vs. Hate initiative, a multi-million dollar government program to provide services to survivors of hate during the surge of anti-Asian hate. He played a key role in the establishment of Represent LA, a multi-million dollar government program to provide legal services to undocumented people facing deportation. He was also the office’s representative and liaison for the areas of LA Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Historic Filipinotown, and Thaitown.

As an openly gay immigrant from Việt Nam, Hoàng is proud to be appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to serve on the Los Angeles City Civil and Human Rights Commission. He was also named one of the National Association of Asian Pacific in Politics and Public Affairs’ 40 Under 40. He serves on the executive boards of several community and political organizations, graduated cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles, and was the College’s Commencement Speaker.

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Trong tập đầy cảm xúc của The Vietnamese Podcast, host Kenneth Nguyễn trò chuyện cùng đầu bếp huyền thoại Helene An, người thường được mệnh danh là "mẹ đỡ đầu của ẩm thực fusion Mỹ." Từ không gian sang trọng của nhà hàng mang tính biểu tượng Crustacean ở Beverly Hills, Chef Helene chia sẻ câu chuyện cuộc đời phi thường của mình—một hành trình đầy nghị lực, đổi mới, và tình yêu sâu sắc với di sản văn hóa Việt Nam.

Cùng nhau, chúng tôi khám phá những thử thách và gian nan đã định hình con đường của bà, từ những khó khăn mà cha mẹ bà phải đối mặt trong hành trình vượt qua gian khổ, đến câu chuyện cá nhân về việc bà định nghĩa lại ẩm thực Việt Nam trên sân khấu toàn cầu. Cuộc trò chuyện thân mật này hé lộ người phụ nữ đứng sau đế chế ẩm thực, tinh thần kiên cường, và lịch sử phong phú đã truyền cảm hứng cho sự kết hợp giữa truyền thống và đổi mới của bà.

Hãy lắng nghe để cảm nhận một câu chuyện đầy cảm hứng về gia đình, ẩm thực và nghị lực, chắc chắn sẽ khiến bạn không chỉ thán phục mà còn muốn thưởng thức những hương vị đỉnh cao từ thế giới ẩm thực.

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEA Dreams, we dive into one of the most delicious debates: which Southeast Asian dish reigns supreme? From pho to pad thai, curries to nasi lemak, the region's culinary diversity is a feast for the senses. But with so many incredible dishes to choose from, how do we decide which one truly takes the crown?

Join hosts Kenneth Nguyen and An Vo (missing our third co host Phil Van) as they are joined by two special guests: Benny Tran, a world traveler and global ambassador for the Los Angeles Football Club, and chef Nguyen Bui, a master private chef, with a deep knowledge of dishes from all corners of the region. Together, they’ll discuss the rich cultural histories, unique flavors, and personal connections behind some of Southeast Asia's most iconic dishes.

From the steaming bowls of pho in Vietnam to the spicy and savory flavors of Thailand's green curry, we explore what makes these dishes so beloved and whether they truly deserve the title of “best.” It’s a flavorful conversation that will have you craving your next meal, no matter where you are.

Tune in for a lively and tasty debate on what makes Southeast Asian cuisine so special—and which dish ultimately comes out on top!

Welcome to SEA Dreams! Explore Southeast Asia’s dynamic past, present, and future landscape through the lens of culture, food, business, history, and politics. Each episode deep dives into expert analysis on key events shaping Southeast Asia. Whether you're a professional, student, or curious listener, this podcast will provide fresh perspectives and thought-provoking conversations on the forces driving change in this influential region.

An Vo is an Australian-Vietnamese living in America with a background in law, politics, economics, and multi-cultural affairs. He has advised both state and federal government bodies on multi-cultural affairs. Having emigrated to Australia at age 5 An has spent two decades each in both Australia and the US but still retains his Aussie accent.

Phillip Van is a commercial director and screenwriter whose work has earned recognition from The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Filmmaker Magazine, and awards at festivals such as Sundance and Berlin. Half-Vietnamese and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, he draws on his unique cultural background to inform his creative perspective. His projects are currently in development with major studios, including Netflix and Fifth Season.

Kenneth Nguyen is a Los Angeles based podcaster and film producer with over two decades in the Vietnamese media space. Kenneth hosts and produces The Vietnamese podcast with over 400 episodes recorded. Kenneth Nguyen is a founding partner of EAST Films.

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity, in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history.

In this episode, we delve into the life and legacy of Bao Dai, the last emperor of Vietnam, whose reign marked the twilight of the Nguyen dynasty and the turbulent crossroads of Vietnamese history. From his privileged upbringing in the royal court to his complex role as both a symbol of tradition and a figure entangled in modern political struggles, we explore how Bao Dai navigated a rapidly changing world.

Discover the challenges, contradictions, and controversies of an emperor caught between colonial powers, nationalist movements, and his own vision for Vietnam. Whether you're intrigued by the dynamics of monarchy in a revolutionary era, fascinated by the personal stories behind historical shifts, or seeking to understand Vietnam’s journey through the 20th century, this episode offers a nuanced portrait of a leader who witnessed the end of an era and the birth of a new nation.

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Kevin D. Pham is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. His research introduces Vietnamese political thought to the academic field of political theory, showing how Vietnamese thinkers challenge and enhance conventional Western understandings of important political concepts. 

He co-hosts Nam Phong Dialogues, a podcast in which he and Yen Vu have casual chats about Vietnamese history and being Vietnamese American. He is the author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024). 

Kevindoanpham.com

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity, in this compelling sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history.

In this episode, we deep dive into the life and legacy of Phan Boi Chau, a trailblazing revolutionary who played a crucial role in shaping the early discourse on Vietnamese nationalism. From his humble upbringing to his profound contributions to society, we examine how Phan Boi Chau laid the intellectual groundwork for Vietnam's quest for independence.

Experience the struggles, triumphs, and unyielding determination of a man who dreamed of a united and free Vietnam in the face of colonial rule. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a student of revolutionary movements, or simply curious about Vietnam’s past, this episode offers new insights into one of its most iconic political thinkers.

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Kevin D. Pham is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam. His research introduces Vietnamese political thought to the academic field of political theory, showing how Vietnamese thinkers challenge and enhance conventional Western understandings of important political concepts. 

He co-hosts Nam Phong Dialogues, a podcast in which he and Yen Vu have casual chats about Vietnamese history and being Vietnamese American. He is the author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024). 

Kevindoanpham.com

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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 vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vietnamese-with-kenneth-nguyen/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy