This is the final blog and today we visited Cat Lai Terminal. This terminal is the 17th largest port in the world, and the largest port in Vietnam. Cat Lai controls 89% of cargo in Saigon, and over 50% across the nation. Cat Lai was very overwhelming as there were so many shipping containers, cargo ships, and cranes moving all at the same time. In a way it’s similar to watching the traffic here, organized chaos. The terminal can move 81 containers per hour and process an entire ship in about 18 hours. I never realized how important the import and export system is in Vietnam. I found it fascinating watching them process a container, especially because I really like the big heavy machinery.

After lunch we then visited the Ben Thanh Market. A large indoor market where I attempted to haggle. Unfortunately I still think I got scammed as I watched other students haggle extremely more successful than I did. Regardless it was still very interesting to see the market, as I’ve only ever seen pictures. All in all, I had an amazing trip. Exploring a very different nation we people I’ve never really met before was an incredible experience. I really enjoyed seeing new cultures of Vietnam, and meeting the Vietnamese students. I really hope that some day I can come back to Vietnam with my new friends.