Cat Lai Terminal Tour

Going into this tour I had high expectations. As a part of this course, I am writing a paper focused on the future of Vietnam’s global trade as it is impacted by sustainable logistics. I was disappointed as I listened to the opening presentation, finding myself raising a brow more than nodding along. The speaker casually admitted that the aerial photo of the terminal she had included in her slides had been heavily edited to look “cleaner” than it really was. Hearing this, it made me wonder why there was a need to polish reality, and more importantly, why they were so comfortable admitting it. 

While the research for my paper certainly questions sustainability in ports, this visit made me curious about sustainability’s limits in the shipping industry. Aside from switching from gas to electric vehicles, there seemed to be very little alignment with Vietnam’s goals of reducing carbon emissions. Considering how we have focused on sustainable development within this program, it was disappointing to face this reality. I understand this industry is deeply complex, but I wonder if they are planning for meaningful change in the long-term. 

Despite my concerns, it was still interesting to see how a ship is unloaded and reloaded in just eighteen hours. Between logistics, the scale of coordination, and other factors, I did gain a deeper appreciation for how goods move through the world. Still, knowing how intricate this industry is, it reinforced how critical it is to push for innovation in sustainability if ports like Cat Lai aim to evolve along with the changes in the environment. 

A picture of the stacks of shipping containers at the Cat Lai Terminal.

Economics at the U.S. Consulate

Later in the day, we visited the U.S. Consulate where we were engaged in an economic discussion. The speaker explained the intricacies of Vietnam’s current economic landscape, such as its rising middle-income states, the tension between rapid growth and environmental costs, and the upcoming demographic shifts that could change the labor market by 2040. One point that stuck with me was that even though Vietnam has grown in manufacturing and exports, its GDP is not totally reliant on its exports. Thus, even though they are affected by high tariffs by the United States, Vietnam has an internal engine of growth, driven by domestic production, innovation, and a highly engaged labor force. 

However, the consulate speaker did note that there is a gap between Vietnam’s bold policy commitments and the actual implementation, which is a theme that seems to echo what I had noticed at the Terminal earlier that morning. With rising tariffs, I think Vietnam’s ports and broader trade ecosystem will feel the effects in ripples, but their country’s diversified growth model and strategic partnerships may buffer the shocks better than expected.

A library at the U.S. Consulate.

Ben Thanh Market

Although we went to this market last week, I still found it fascinating to observe the vendors’ tactics. Even when I thought I was being clever, I soon realized a tactic was actually used on me, deeming their methods sneaky and effective. Multiple times, I walked away thinking I got a great deal, only to realize I had been skillfully outplayed. 

Even though a 50% or 70% (or even higher) discount may feel like a win, if you realize how much the product would actually be worth, you start to recognize when you had fallen victim to a bargaining tactic. One vendor pulled me into a conversation, and despite my practice at holding my ground, I caved. She offered scarves at a “special” price just for me, whispering numbers that felt exclusive and urgent. I didn’t even want a scarf, but ended up buying one anyway. 

This was a lesson in emotional persuasion, cultural difference, and commerce, all from one experience.