Between Heaven and Earth: Le Ly Hayslip on Vietnam, War, Healing and Hope (E165)
In today’s episode, I’m honored to chat with Le Ly Hayslip, internationally known Vietnamese-American author, philanthropist, peace activist, and speaker. Le Ly grew up in central Vietnam during the American-Vietnam War and later authored two bestselling memoirs, When Heaven and Earth Changed Places and Child of War, Woman of Peace. Her story of resilience inspired Oliver Stone’s 1993 film Heaven & Earth. Beyond her writing, she founded two humanitarian organizations—East Meets West Foundation and Global Village Foundation—dedicated to rebuilding Vietnam through education, medical care, and essential resources.
Episode Highlights:
Her upbringing in a rice-farming family of 6 children in central Vietnam, living under the pressures of both American forces and the Viet Cong.
The importance of protecting family gravesites and places of worship as a way of preserving identity and tradition.
Why her book cannot be published in Vietnam, and how Oliver Stone’s film adaptation offers another way to experience her story.
How returning to Vietnam in the 1980s inspired her lifelong humanitarian work.
Her invitation to visit the beauty of Vietnam, where she leads trips in both the spring and fall.
✨ Le Ly also shared with me about the upcoming Global Village Foundation Awards Gala to celebrate 30 years of U.S. & Vietnam diplomatic relations at the on 11/15/25. You can find more information on the Global Village Foundation website.
Le Ly’s story is one of survival, forgiveness, and hope. As she says, “We cannot change the past. But if each of us stands up to change the world, we will change the world.”
Connect with Le Ly:
Show Notes
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Books and authors mentioned in the episode:
Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East by Baird T. Spalding
Many Lives - Many Times by Nguyen Phong
Ramtha: The White Book by Ramtha
Book Flight
On the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Sherry Buchanan
Perfect Spy by Larry Berman
Dancing in the Light by Shirley MacLaine
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