Latest / The Vietnamese with Kenneth Nguyen
512 - Why Are Overseas Vietnamese Chefs Suddenly Moving Back To Saigon?- Helen Nha Van
In this episode, Ken sits down with Helen Nha Van, a brilliant PhD researcher examining the political economy, class dynamics, and cultural friction underlying Vietnam's explosive modern fine-dining scene.
Nhã pulls back the curtain on the quiet post-1986 Đổi Mới return migration waves, tracking how second-generation Việt Kiều (diaspora) chefs from the West are choosing to return to Vietnam to pioneer high-end cuisine. In a candid conversation about food and ethnic insecurity, Nhã breaks down the psychological borders that prevent overseas creators from attempting traditional street dishes…
The skinny
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