532 - What If Everything You Learned About Vietnamese National Heroes Is Wrong? - Viet Origins w. John Phan
Published: September 4, 2026
Duration: 1:08:02
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...