Speaker
Viet is a sought-after speaker who has spoken in blue states and red states, in Ivy League universities and community colleges, in big cities and small ones, in literary festivals and bookstores. He is known for delivering incisive, witty, and knowledgeable commentary about not only his writing and life but also about many of the issues that concern us today, including immigration and refugees, racism and colonialism, war and memory, and art and politics.
Some Highlights from Viet’s Appearances
Late Night with Seth Meyers
He has appeared often on television, including on Late Night with Seth Meyers, talking about his short story collection The Refugees and about refugees in general.
CBS Mornings
He has appeared twice on CBS Mornings, discussing his memoir A Man of Two Faces and what it means to experience duality as an immigrant and outsider in the United States.
CBS Morning
and how refugee experiences in the United States have parallels elsewhere, such as in France, the setting of his novel The Committed.
MacArthur Foundation
His life work was profiled by the MacArthur Foundation when it gave him one of its prestigious fellowships.
Norton Lectures
His work as a scholar and critic was recognized by Harvard University, which invited him to deliver the prestigious Norton Lectures, which led to his book To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other
Democracy Now!
A writer of many op-eds and magazine articles, he has been invited often to speak on critical political, social, and historical issues as they happen, from the 50th anniversary of the end of the American war in Viet Nam to the persistence of anti-Asian hate in the United States and elsewhere.
Testimonies
Everything was perfect! [Viet] was wonderful and left the crowd (including many faculty) in awe and (more than) a little star struck (including faculty). He was also speaking to a number of veterans of the Vietnam War (or American War), and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (we have a lot of vets and military in ND/UND)…everyone that I have spoken to has said that it hit them right in the heart and they were very moved (and thinking), especially those vets of the 1970s (some were in near tears, and these are men that I’ve known though the UND WC for almost a decade).
– University of North Dakota
Viet’s was a great visit – one of our best in my 22 years…his presentation was smart and powerful and funny, and always fluent, drawing all three of his books. What a wonderful man, great writer, kind person, and excellent presenter!
– INPRINT Houston
Viet’s visit was great. Viet is the rare talent who is a great writer and also a dynamic and engaging speaker. His reading felt genuine, spontaneous even. Many students lined up to meet him and take photos – it was a treat. Thanks for sending him our way!
– Boston College
Viet Thanh Nguyen officially captured the hearts of Buffalonians! Our audience of 1,200+ were thoroughly impressed with Viet; the independent bookseller sold out of his books; & people are still stopping me to talk about his dynamism on stage. Given that Viet was following Toni Morrison in this season’s line-up, some might have been a little daunted—but not Viet! He was charming, insightful & the clarity of his thinking was quite breathtaking. NUMEROUS people commented that he was the BEST of the season and even the entire series!
– Just Buffalo Literary Center
The whole thing went really well. Viet did a great job, in my opinion. I think the students in particular found him very easy to connect with — which is not at all true of many visitors. One of the best events we have had in a while.
– Williams College
What a wonderful evening! Viet could not have been more thoughtful, smart and charming … up close and personal he had an AMAZING twinkle in his eye … and yes, I was occasionally rendered speechless.
– Arlington (VA) Public Library
The evening was superb! We had a packed house to see Viet. Viet is wonderfully articulate, passionate with a smart sense of humor. He was my personal favorite speaker of the year.
– Sun Valley Center for the Arts
Viet was fantastic. From the school visit to the reception to the presentation he was engaging and warm with whoever he met. The Boise audience loved him.
– The Cabin Literary Center, Idaho
We are on such a high, I haven’t been able to focus enough to write you. Viet was absolutely tremendous—his talk was just perfect. Performative (whoa!), smart (wow!), insightful, generous, funny. Our audience loved him; they were so responsive, which you can hear from the stage. He was kind and gracious (as I know you know) with everyone he interacted with from our partners at the very special program request at City of Asylum to staff, booksellers, donors, signing line through to dinner.
– Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures
Speaking Inquiry
Please send an email to the Lyceum Agency and direct speaking inquiries to andrew@lyceumagency.com