The Banh Thanh market was a lot different than I expected. Each stall had roughly the exact same items. Every stall selling shirts only sold these lame shirts of random TV characters with Supreme or a Labubu on a Stüssy shirt or a shirt with the same pho pun on it. I wonder why they sell these shirts and who they are trying to appeal to. Aside from t-shirts, all the bag stores sold the same things, and so did all the trinket stores. I guess it’s nice for bartering because you have a lot of options when negotiating prices, but as a consumer, it was hard to find something unique. Weirdly enough, many of the bags and clothes I saw were unique but the exact same as the clothes being sold at Saigon Square, another market 5 minutes away. I wonder who they buy their stock from and if they have mass production on the products that they think will attract tourists. It was very interesting to see and a big surprise.

I think today was the most interesting speaker we’ve had. Maybe it’s just due to my background in economics, but hearing the consulate representative of economics speak about the economy of Vietnam and the past success, opportunities, and threats they might face in the future was helpful. I found myself wanting to learn more about economic history and practical application. I’ve taken three economics classes, all of which have been highly theoretical. Next semester, however, I’m taking a class on the financial markets and institutions and how they all intertwine. Coming to the U.S. consulate and listening to such a thoughtful speaker has really spurred my interest in economics outside of the models, and I’m really looking forward to next year. At the consulate itself, I was surprised that there was a security screening and that it was necessary to have a U.S. passport just to enter. Also, I was shocked that the office was above a five-story mall. When I think of an embassy or consulate, I think of a massive building that belongs only to the U.S., so it was interesting to see that it’s just like any other office.