It’s wonderful that you grew up in Orange County, within the Viet community, and I imagine it is a big reason why you write stories with Vietnamese American protagonists. I notice that your books also have various settings – in Girl Giant and the Monkey King, Thom’s family moves from California to Georgia; both The Monstrous Misses Mai and Silver and Smoke are set in historic Los Angeles; and in your upcoming YA novel, Domi is shipped off to New Mexico to work at her Auntie Q’s nail salon. How is setting important to your storytelling? Why did you choose these specific times and places?
All of my stories are inspired by my personal experience in some way, and that shows up especially in settings. In Girl Giant and the Monkey King, the main character Thom moves to Georgia, which is where my parents randomly decided to buy a farm when I was in high school. It was one of the weirdest times of my life but I’m grateful for it because I was able to morph my trauma into fiction! The themes of not belonging and struggling to fit in came from my struggles during that time, but in a way for me, it’s a chance to revisit and rewrite the past in a different light. In Auntie Q’s Golden Claws Nail Salon, Domi has to work at her aunt’s shop in Albuquerque, NM for the summer, which is where I went to college. Sometimes I choose these settings out of nostalgia and as a way to memorialize parts of my life–whether they were good moments or filled with learning experiences.
For my adult novels Monstrous Misses Mai and Silver and Smoke, I chose Los Angeles because it’s a city that’s filled with so much nuance. I spent some of the most difficult years of my 20s there but also grew to love the place despite the grit and noise and stink. There is something magical about LA. It’s often teased for its superficial beauty, and yet you can’t deny that it really is beautiful. Underneath the veneer of glitz and glamour that it’s known for, there’s a rich history of diverse cultures and wonderful weather and opportunities where anything can happen.
You shared in your interview with Kirkus that talking to your sister about Vietnamese folklore and mythology played an important role in the “research” you did to write the Girl Giant series. I think that’s a beautiful example of the oral tradition of Vietnamese storytelling. What were these conversations with your sister like?
My sister–and older siblings in general–are much better experts in Vietnamese culture than I am, so I turn to them every time I have a question about something I vaguely remember about our childhood. We all grew up watching Journey to the West (the 1986 CCTV version), and I’ve been obsessed with the Monkey King ever since. When I had the perfect opportunity to write a book featuring my favorite trickster demon, I knew I had to gather as much information as I could about him, so I bombarded my sister with text messages. She’s a teacher, so she’s always eager to dig into things and share as much as she could find. She’s always sending me book recommendations for research or forwarding things she thinks will inspire me.
In addition to writing stories, you’re also curating stories as a librarian. If your twelve-year-old self were to come to you at the library circulation desk in 2026 seeking some book recommendations, what books do you think she’d enjoy or resonate with?
I was always a voracious reader, and at 12, I devoured books about dragons and magic like they were candy. I’d definitely recommend Katie Zhao’s Winnie Zeng series, Remy Lai’s graphic novels especially Ghost Book, and all of Julie Abe’s middle grade novels featuring stories about whimsical witches. I adore Waka T. Brown’s endearing middle grade voice and Brandon Hoàng’s penchant for adventure stories and Vietnamese jokes.
Van Hoang’s first name is pronounced like the van in minivan. Her last name is pronounced “hah-wawng.” She is the author of Girl Giant and the Monkey King, Girl Giant and the Jade War, and the forthcoming Auntie Q’s Golden Claws Nail Salon for middle grade readers. Her adult debut novel The Monstrous Misses Mai released in 2024, about 4 young women who accidentally become witches in order to pay rent in 1959 Los Angeles. Silver and Smoke, about 2 Vietnamese starlets and their demonic dead bestie in 1936, released in 2025. She earned her bachelor’s in English at the University of New Mexico and her master’s in library information science at San Jose State University. She was born in Vietnam, grew in up Orange County, California, and now resides in Los Angeles with her family. When she is not writing, she spends her days force-feeding books to small children (and adults!) at the library. She loves boba.
This interview was conducted by Alan Trinh, Viet Book Fest’s Program Manager, as part of the Author Spotlight series. All featured authors participated in Viet Book Fest 2026, a literary event presented by the Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association (VAALA).
Join us on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 10 AM to 5 PM at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California for a full day honoring Vietnamese storytelling and culture in literature.
Viet Book Fest 2026 offers a full day of programming focused on Vietnamese literature, storytelling, and culture. Attendees can participate in five panel discussions, enjoy interactive activities for children, and experience youth performances that showcase Vietnamese traditions and creativity. The festival also provides a space for community collaborations, where participants can create their own art and engage in hands-on projects.