Julia James first visited Vietnam 15 years ago as a backpacker, instantly falling in love with the country’s vibrant energy and warm hospitality. Now, as the partner of the New Zealand Consul General in HCMC, she has come full circle, working with her husband, Scott James, to strengthen diplomatic ties between New Zealand and Vietnam. Through her involvement with the Consular Club, Julia has also become a quiet yet impactful advocate for local communities, driving charitable initiatives that leave a lasting mark. The Saigon Times: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how long you have been in HCMC? Julia James: My name is Julia James, and I am the partner of Scott James, the New Zealand Consul General here in HCMC. We have been living in Saigon for about 18 months now. You mentioned you first visited Saigon 15 years ago. Can you share more about that trip? Yes, 15 years ago, Scott and I visited Saigon as backpackers. What really caught our attention back then was the heat, the hustle and bustle, and the city’s incredible energy. We loved the food and how welcoming the people were. We never imagined we’d one day live here, but […]