Today, we visited the Cat Lai Terminal, a port in Ho Chi Minh that handles 81 containers per hour. As we drove throughout the terminal, I found it interesting how much manpower and equipment it takes to move the containers, which is why I found it impressive that they handle so many in one hour. The containers go through the extensive process of being retrieved from the cargo ship, then checked to make sure the list of products in the container matches with the list of products supposed to be in the container. They then unload the containers and get the cargo to where they belong. I never thought about what happens at ports and what happens to cargo, but it was very interesting to see the extensive process and little details that happen.

After lunch, we went to the Banh Thanh market. At first it was a little scary trying to make deals with vendors because a lot of them didn’t want to lower the price and I didn’t know the best ways to ask for the product to be cheaper. But after some practice, making deals with the vendors became really fun and I got to go on a shopping spree. I found it interesting how many different types of store there were. Many were souvenirs shops, but there were also some places selling candy and clothes that can be tailored in one day. Some of the vendors were aggressive with trying to get you to shop at their store as you walked by, but others were very calm and only talked to you if you looked interested. Overall, it was a very fun experience and I hope to have the chance to do it again.