Uyen Nguyen
Office Hours: Tue 1–2:30 PM or by appointment via email | On Zoom or in-person at Robinson Hall #213 | Please check for availability and sign up in advance here.
Uyen T. Nguyen is a historian of modern Vietnam with a strong interest in historical transitions and the interactions between politico-economic changes and socio-cultural identity. Her current book project, Beloved City, Depraved City: Communist Takeovers and Socialist Transformations in North Vietnam’s Cities (1949–1958), examines the communist takeover of previously French-controlled cities in North Vietnam and the political, economic, and socio-cultural transformations that took place in these cities between 1949 and 1958.
Nguyen is currently developing two new book-length projects. The first traces the political, economic, and social history of modern Vietnam through the lens of a single commodity animal, following pig-raising and pork consumption across the twentieth century to reveal patterns of everyday state-society negotiation and ideological aspirations and contest. The second is a comparative study of modern Korea and Vietnam, examining their historical convergences and divergences in the twentieth century against the backdrop of significant political and cultural influences from China. She also maintains a longstanding engagement with Vietnamese literature, exploring how it registered the political and economic upheavals of the late twentieth century. Her most recent article on this theme, "Writing and Policing" appeared in the Journal of Vietnamese Studies (2026); her translation of Trần Dần's novel Crossroads and Lampposts is forthcoming with Major Books.
Nguyen's research agenda is driven by a strong commitment to exploring new approaches to the study of Vietnamese experiences, situating them within broader frameworks that extend beyond national borders and the disciplinary boundaries of history. She is particularly interested in comparative historical transitions in East and Southeast Asia, as well as comparisons of political, economic, and social developments across the socialist world. As a teacher, Nguyen's goal is to foster curiosity and appreciation for East and Southeast Asia among students from diverse backgrounds.
Born and raised in Vietnam, Nguyen earned her B.A. in International Studies from Yonsei University (Seoul) and her M.A. and Ph.D. in History from the University of California, Berkeley. Before joining Harvard, she taught at the National University of Singapore. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of History and the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations.