Another fun day for me in the books. From decoding a new alphabet to negotiating in bustling market aisles, today was the ultimate crash course in Vietnamese culture and commerce.

We started the morning trying to tackle the Vietnamese alphabet. To be honest, mastering those tonal marks felt completely impossible, but it gave us an appreciation for the complexity of the language. We quickly pivoted to custom painting our own traditional rice hats. Swapping grammar for paintbrushes was great because Vietnamese is so difficult.

Next, we dove headfirst into the sensory overload of Ben Thanh Market. Coming from a world of predictable, quiet retail spaces, Ben Thanh was a thrilling shock to the system. The market shops are packed to the rafters, and the sellers are incredibly assertive, sharp, and determined to make a deal/rip you off. The energy was crazy. Amidst the chaos, we noticed rows upon rows of high-end designer replicas, a detail that became highly relevant just a few hours later.

From the raw commerce of the market, we transitioned to the quiet halls of the Consulate for a comprehensive economics talk. We learned that Vietnam wants to become a high-income country by 2045. Looking at the sheer grit, energy, and digital adoption I have witnessed over the past two weeks, it feels like a target they could genuinely hit if they maintain this momentum.

During the Q&A, I asked how US businesses can best navigate starting up and investing here, eager to understand how we can align with Vietnam’s rapid growth. However, my follow-up question led to a bit of irony. I attempted to ask about the challenges of the illegal wildlife trade, but the speaker pivoted and focused her answer entirely on the fake clothing industry instead. I should have framed “black market” a little better. The irony was not lost on us, we had just walked past miles of counterfeit apparel at Ben Thanh that very morning.

This trip has been a lesson in contrasts. Vietnam is a place where deep-rooted tradition seamlessly coexists with a relentless drive toward the future. Navigating the warmth and hustle of its people today only solidified my desire to stay connected to this dynamic country, both personally and professionally. I love Vietnam.