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What's Your Compass? VannDa's Treyvisai Challenge Went Viral
My Diep Thoughts on being half Khmer American and trying not to feel invisible anymore
Eric Diep
April 16, 2025
Welcome to Golden Dragon, a newsletter by Eric Diep about Asians in hip-hop and my takes on trending topics in AAPI pop culture. Golden Dragon is a rotation of interviews, reviews, news, critical perspectives, and random blogs about music I recommend.
Here’s What I’m Unleashing Today 🐲
A personal essay on my compass in life and embracing my Cambodian culture.
Diep Cuts with Awich, Sailorr, Elm Josae, Russell!, and JENNIE.
Send It: Asian American Collective’s next mentors for Spring, a rare cover story by Adelle Platon for VIBE, and Ramengvrl joins The Rap of China.
Photo by Rosalie Cabison
When VannDa released the first installment of his Treyvisai trilogy last month, a social media marketing campaign called #WhatsYourTreyvisai supported the release. Partnering with Khmer Renaissance and Baramey Production, KR’s curator, Sotheara Lim, created an informational Instagram post breaking down the meaning of Treyvisai. Words like “point of view,” “vision,” “thought,” and “feeling” were used as adjectives. The post encouraged VannDa fans to reflect on their direction and purpose. It also outlined what your compass looks like to you and how you can redefine it to guide your growth.
I included the full Treyvisai explanation below:
ត្រីវិស័យ Treyvisai is more than a concept—it’s a philosophy. A philosophy of resilience through discomfort. A philosophy that is necessary for the Khmer people.
In VannDa’s own words:
TREYVISAI (The Compass) is my way of giving you hope when you feel like giving up.
TREYVISAI (The Compass) is the friend you can turn to when you feel alone.
TREYVISAI (The Compass) is a reminder of your strength, your roots.