409 - Viet History Makers - Can Well-Behaved Women Make History?

Join host Kenneth Nguyen and series co-host Kevin Pham, author of The Architects of Dignity: Vietnamese Visions of Decolonization (Oxford University Press, 2024), in this sub-series of the podcast, exploring the key figures and moments in Vietnamese history.

In this episode of Viet History Makers, host Kenneth Nguyen and co-host Kevin Pham take a deep dive into the life and legacy of Nguyễn Thị Bình (1927–2023), a revolutionary, diplomat, and one of the most prominent female figures in Vietnam’s modern history. As the chief negotiator for the Provisional Revolutionary Government at the Paris Peace Accords, Bình played a crucial role in shaping the diplomatic path that led to the end of the Vietnam War.

From her early days as an anti-colonial activist to her rise as a key representative of the National Liberation Front, Bình’s career was defined by her unwavering commitment to Vietnamese independence and self-determination. Her diplomatic skill and steadfast rhetoric made her a formidable presence on the international stage, challenging the narratives of global superpowers while advocating for peace and national reunification.

Despite the immense challenges of war and diplomacy, Bình emerged as a symbol of resilience and progress, later serving as Vietnam’s Vice President and continuing to champion education, women’s rights, and social development. Her legacy endures as a testament to the power of diplomacy and the crucial role of women in shaping Vietnam’s history.

Join us as we explore Nguyễn Thị Bình’s extraordinary journey—from revolutionary fighter to global diplomat—and discuss the pivotal moments that defined her career. Whether remembered as a skilled negotiator, a staunch advocate for peace, or a pioneering female leader, her story offers profound insights into the struggles and triumphs of Vietnam’s past.

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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!