When Elizabeth Homfray left Australia for HCMC nearly two decades ago, the transition was smoother than expected. Asian flavors were already staples in her kitchen, and fresh produce felt familiar rather than foreign. What truly shaped her life here, however, was not food but a calling: rescuing and rehoming dogs in a city once unaccustomed to pet care. Today, through Laws for Paws Vietnam, the animal rescue organization she founded, Homfray has helped treat more than 1,200 dogs and placed hundreds into new homes — and in the process, found a deeper sense of belonging in Vietnam. The Saigon Times: When your whole family first moved to Vietnam, did you face many cultural differences? Elizabeth Homfray: Not really. Australians are already very close to Southeast Asia — Bali and Thailand are top holiday destinations because they are only a few hours away by plane. In an Australian home, if you open the kitchen cupboard, you will usually see soy sauce, fish sauce, chili sauce — a lot of Asian flavors. Probably the number one dish for Australians to cook at home now is stir-fry. You can even buy pre-made stir-fry packs in the supermarket with marinated beef and vegetables, so […]
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