The Cat Lai terminal is an expansive site that ranks number 1 in Vietnam and 17th globally in total container throughput. This is made possible by the terminal’s industry leading efficiency and round the clock operations. Walking through the terminal the scale and efficiency of the terminal was on full display. Everywhere you looked there were 20 foot shipping containers stacked 5 high and machinery was constantly operating in all directions. One interesting system they had was the rice conveyor belt which had about 10 workers loading the bags and a couple more at the end lifting the 50 kilo bags into a nearby container. This process seemed like a good low-tech option that definitely made the loading process faster and easier. The terminal is GSAP certified which I learned is a very prestigious award that recognizes ports with exceptional environmental standards and sustainable development. In fact, the Cat Lai terminal was the first seaport in Vietnam to receive GSAP recognition cementing its status as a premier seaport in Southeast Asia. I found this honor to be representative of my experience at the terminal because of its efficiency and waste management despite the environmental challenges that the terminal still contends with. Any company will face environmental struggles but what makes them truly green is how they respond and innovate. After our visit to Cat Lai I am convinced that they are exceptionally committed to going, and staying, green.
We also had the opportunity to visit Dan On Foods to tour their production lines and learn more about their operation. The Dan On facility was very impressive and everything from the employee swimming pool to the production floor was clean, high-tech, and functional. The operations were largely automated with only a few workers on the floor at a time which was an impressive thing to see in action. The best part of Dan On’s process though had nothing to do with any of the expensive equipment or fancy buildings. Walking inside the conference room past the offices a big white board stood out to me. This board displayed Dan On’s company beliefs and institutional goals, representing their dedication, drive, and passion both as a company and for their employees. This company philosophy was also touched on in the company presentation, further proving its importance to Dan On’s operations. The placement of the DDP board was front and center, ensuring every employee that walked in was reminded of their importance and duty. The relevance of Dan On’s philosophy was clear and its impacts were reflected in the facilities we saw and the success the company has had, proving their resilience and positioning as a major player in the food industry. Overall, the business scene in Vietnam has been much more diverse and developed than I had previously thought and the site visits to Cat Lai terminal and Dan On today were perfect examples of Vietnam’s vibrant business scene.
