French-Vietnamese Woman Returns to Aid the Poor in Her Mother's Homeland
A Journey of Healing and Giving Back Isabelle Paulette Muller had lived with the pain of abuse and stigma for years, but everything changed when she accompanied her mother to Vietnam to rediscover her heritage. The journey marked a turning point in her life, leading her to reconnect with her roots and dedicate herself to helping others. As they stepped off the plane at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi, Isabelle gripped her mother Loan’s hand, feeling the weight of a new beginning. The heat and noise were overwhelming, but beneath the initial discomfort, she sensed something familiar. It was 1990, and this was her first visit to Vietnam. The immigration officer stamped her tourist visa with a red seal, reminding her that she was only a visitor in the land her mother called home. The unwelcoming atmosphere quickly faded when they arrived at the hotel and enjoyed a steaming bowl of pho. The aroma of cinnamon and star anise brought back memories of stories her mother had told in France. “If it ...