Vietnamese-American astronaut Amanda Nguyen returns to inspire youth, honor heritage at Fulbright University Vietnam event

Returning to Vietnam for Fulbright University Vietnam’s Commencement 2025 held on Saturday last week, Amanda Nguyen spoke with local media in a roundtable, reflecting on her journey from a human rights activist to a space traveler, and how her Vietnamese roots continue to shape her identity.

“I may be biased, but I truly believe Vietnamese people are among the most exceptional in the world,” Nguyen said.

“I am deeply grateful for our proud history, for the resilience passed down through generations—that’s what shaped who I am."

When asked about a symbol that best represents her, Nguyen said people often compare her to a phoenix, but she resonates more with the image of a dragon.

“Vietnamese culture, to me, means overcoming adversity and constantly rising higher toward your goals, just like a dragon,” she shared.

Raised in the United States, Nguyen said her first understanding of Vietnam came from her parents’ stories.

Returning to the Southeast Asian country, she was overwhelmed by the warm welcome from the local community.

“I had worried whether Vietnamese people would embrace me, but the reality exceeded all my expectations," she admitted.

One of the most emotional moments for her was receiving a letter from Vietnam’s State President Luong Cuong after returning from space.

She was also moved to learn that the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam sat alongside Vietnamese astronaut Pham Tuan, the first Vietnamese and the first Asian to travel into space in 1980, to watch her spaceflight.

“That meant so much to me. I feel deeply supported by the global Vietnamese community," Nguyen said.

She elaborated that while she owns many flight suits—some with national flags, others without—her identity as a Vietnamese American is always visible.

“Whether I wear the flag or not, when I look in the mirror, I see my heritage," she said.

"And I believe the values of Vietnamese culture—community, solidarity, helping one another—are deeply rooted in me.”

Recalling the start of her journey, Nguyen admitted to feeling isolated: “Who was I to speak with the Pope or share ideas with national leaders?”

But then she realized the power of storytelling: “Our stories are our strongest weapons. They create empathy. If we’re brave enough to speak, there will always be someone willing to listen.”

She underscored her core belief that no one is powerless, especially when people work together toward great goals.

“Everyone deserves to be seen. What’s unseen is not impossible. It simply hasn’t happened yet," she said.

Nguyen advocated for creating more opportunities for untapped talent.

“Talent exists everywhere," the Vietnamese-American woman said.

"The question is how we help people tell their stories and connect them to where they truly belong.”

She revealed her hopes to bring more Vietnamese voices into global STEM and education projects she takes part in.

Currently, Nguyen is working on several projects with the Vietnam National Space Center to help identify and nurture scientific talent.

“Through my work with the center and other partners, I’ve discovered just how many extraordinary people there are in Vietnam. I want the world to see them," she said.

She also hopes to bring STEM education programs to Vietnamese schools, inspiring younger generations with modern curricula and a love for science and space.

Nguyen announced upcoming collaborations with Fulbright University Vietnam to promote educational initiatives.

During her speech at the Fulbright commencement ceremony, Nguyen offered four life lessons drawn from her own experience: empathy, embracing one’s multifaceted identity, courage, and love.

Amanda Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American civil rights activist, founder of the nonprofit Rise, which advocates for sexual assault survivors.

She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.

She became the first woman of Vietnamese origin as well as the first Southeast Asian woman to travel into space aboard the New Shepard spacecraft operated by space tourism company Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, the world’s second-richest individual, on April 14.

Today, she continues her work across science, human rights, and education.