A Conversation with Allie
From áo dài to ballroom, crochet to chemistry — a new voice from Vietnam on culture, racism, craft, and claiming space in Canada. I had the nicest time talking with Allie about moving from Vietnam, celebrating Lunar New Year, dealing with online racism, music, and seeing snow for the first time. We talked about representation, stereotypes, and what it feels like to grow up between climates and cultures. She’s thoughtful, funny, and way more layered than any label people try to put on her. I’m really grateful she trusted me with this conversation.
Talent: Allie Nguyen
Interview & Photography: Kai Oszlai
K: Tell me about the outfit you’re wearing.
A: I’m wearing what we call an Áo dài. (see #1) In English, you can say “Long Dress.” This is a modern version, since the traditional outfit is pretty tight.
(1: A long silk dress worn by both men and women for weddings, in schools, and for formal events.)
K: Where did you live before Canada?
A: I moved from Vietnam about 5-6 months ago.
K: I love Vietnamese food. That’s probably one of the biggest reasons I’d visit.
A: Yeah? Do you have a favourite dish?
K: Phở, (see #2) for sure. Do you?
A: Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm. Basically, it’s rice vermicelli, fried tofu, sausage, boiled pork. It comes with a fermented shrimp paste. The smell of the shrimp paste is pretty strong, [kind of like] stinky tofu. Do you know what stinky tofu is?
K: Yeah, heard of it! What’s the appeal of “stinky” foods like that?
A: It’s just a preference thing. Some people like the stronger flavour.
K: I’m getting hungry now [laughs].
(2: A popular Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat.)
K: Do you have any plans after high school?
A: University. I’m [thinking of doing] chemistry either at Waterloo or UofT. I like the co-op at Waterloo.
K: What do you do to celebrate Lunar New Year?
A: I spend time with family and make these big rice cakes. We get red pockets—do you know what red pockets are?
K: Yeah, they’re for money, right?
A: Exactly. Except I get less and less as I get older. Typically the kids get more.
K: Bummer [both laughing].
A: Did you hear about the South Korean and South-East Asian countries’ beef?
K: No! Tell me about the beef.
A: Okay, so a K-pop band did this concert, right? (see #3) In Korea, there are these people called ‘fansites,’ who are people with professional cameras that go in and take photos of the idols to sell online. (see #4) But in Malaysia, this is prohibited. [Regardless], some Korean fans actually brought cameras even [with this restriction], and Malaysian fans called them out on that. [However], Koreans took this [criticism] personally, and started insulting South-East Asian people: saying things like ’South-East Asian women laugh and look like gorillas,’ and just being racist towards them.
K: And was this recent, or…?
A: It’s actually happening right now! It’s on Twitter/X, and the news, too.
K: Okay, I’ll have to look into it.
(3: Referring to boy band Day6’s concert in Kuala Lumpur on January 31st, 2026.)
(4: Fancams are video recordings taken of a single idol during the live performance of a song.)
K: How does this issue relate to your connection with your culture?
A: Wow… I’ll have to think about that. I mean, it’s great that we’re, like, defending ourselves to actually have some representation—in this time where Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese are often more… popular, I’d say? Because we’re a second-world country, (see #5) we’ve always had this image that we’re ‘poor, work in farms too much, and that we’re not as civilised.’ So yeah, I think it’s a great thing that people are tapping into what South-East Asian countries actually look like.
K: Racism should never be tolerated, no matter from who, right?
A: Yeah.
(5: Referring to Vietnam.)
K: In your spare time, what do you do?
A: I love to craft. I crochet, [work with] clay, make keychains. I’m trying to sew and knit as well. I recently made a big owl plushie for my chem teacher.
K: That’s so nice.
K: If you were to describe yourself with one word, what would it be?
A: Versatile! I’d say that I’m able to adapt and grasp new things pretty well, partially because I’m a firm believer of ‘knowing a little bit of everything will come in handy in the near future,’ no matter how trivial it may be. I try to push myself to be open to change, and I think my ability to adjust often can back me up to carry me through certain times.
K: I saw that you dance! What kind?
A: I do latin ballroom, hip-hop, and jazz.
K: Fun.
K: Are you a winter or summer person?
A: Summer, for sure. It’s so cold here! We don’t have snow in Vietnam.
K: What?! You haven’t seen snow up until now?
A: Yeah! Vietnam has a tropical climate.
K: Do you ever get tired of the heat there?
A: Oh yes, it can get up to 44 degrees [Celsius].
K: That’s crazy.
A: I saw that you post about books that you’ve been reading.
K: Yeah, I’m so performative [both laughing]. When I’m not reading, I’m watching videos about people reading—I thought ‘Why don’t I just do the same?’
A: I’m thinking of reading 1984.
K: Oh, that’s an amazing one. Please do.
A: I heard it was really good. I loved Catch-22, so I thought it could be interesting.
K: You’re into dystopian novels, then?
A: Yeah.
K: I recommend The Handmaid’s Tale after you read that one. I think you’ll like that one, too.
A: Okay! I’ll read it.
A: Have you ever been hungover?
K: Yeah. I’m Hungarian [laughs]. Are Vietnamese people big on drinking?
A: For sure. People like to go to [bars], have some beers and snacks, do karaoke.
K: Are you guys good at singing, too?
A: Definitely not on the same level as Filipinos [laughs].
K: That’s the one thing I’m jealous of. Those people know how to sing.
A: Every single person!
K: What kind of music do you like?
A: I’m into Soul R&B.
K: Is there anything you won’t listen to?
A: I’m pretty open; nothing really. Oh, maybe really loud music. I like rock, but not when it’s too heavy.
K: Can I tell you a secret?
A: What?
K: I’m a metalhead [both laughing].
