IELTS Tăng band Speaking · Giữa khoá · Speaking: Shopping & Famous People

The thing I'm going to talk about is a second-hand bicycle that I bought about two years ago, during my first year at university.

At that time, I had just moved into a rented room which was around three kilometres from campus, and I was spending quite a lot of money on ride-hailing apps every week. One day, a classmate mentioned that he was selling his old bike because he had just bought a motorbike, so I went to his place to have a look. It wasn't in perfect condition, to be honest – the paint was scratched and the seat was a bit worn – but the brakes and gears worked well. He asked for eight hundred thousand dong, which I thought was a real bargain, so I bought it on the spot.

It has turned out to be one of the most useful things I've ever bought. First of all, it has saved me a lot of money, because I no longer pay for rides every day. On top of that, cycling to class has become my main form of exercise, and I feel much fitter than before. What I like most, though, is the freedom it gives me. At weekends I sometimes cycle around the lake near my place just to clear my head.

So, even though it was cheap and not very new, it has been worth every penny.

1. Why do some people buy things they don't really need?

I think there are a few reasons. One is that shopping can make people feel good, at least for a short time, so some people buy things when they're stressed or bored. Another reason is the pressure of special offers. When an online shop says a discount ends in two hours, people are afraid of missing out, so they click 'buy' without thinking carefully.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online compared with going to a shop?

The biggest advantage of online shopping is convenience. You can compare prices and order almost anything from your sofa, which saves a lot of time. On the downside, you can't touch or try the product, so sometimes what arrives looks quite different from the photos. In a shop, by contrast, you can check the quality yourself and take the item home immediately.

3. How have people's shopping habits changed in your country in recent years?

They've changed a lot. Ten years ago, most people went to traditional markets or small shops near their homes. These days, especially in big cities, a lot of people do their shopping on e-commerce apps, and even older people have started ordering groceries online. Paying by phone has also become really common, so many people hardly carry cash anymore.

4. Do you think advertising has too much influence on young people?

To some extent, yes. Young people spend hours on social media, where adverts are everywhere and often look like normal posts, so it's hard to tell what's an ad and what isn't. As a result, teenagers may feel they need the latest phone or trainers to fit in. Having said that, I think many young people are becoming more aware of these tricks and read reviews before buying.

I'd like to talk about a travel vlogger called Minh Anh, who is quite well known among young people in Vietnam.

I first came across her channel about three years ago, when I was looking for tips for a trip to the northern mountains. Her videos are different from many other travel channels, because she doesn't just show beautiful views. She usually stays with local families, helps them with farm work and tries to learn a few words of their language. She now has millions of followers, but she still travels on a very small budget, often by bus or motorbike.

If I had the chance to meet her, I'd love to sit down over a cup of coffee and ask her about the less glamorous side of her job – things like how she plans her routes, how she stays safe when she travels alone, and how she deals with negative comments online. I'd also like to ask for her advice, because I've been thinking about starting a small channel of my own.

The main reason I'd like to meet her is that she has really changed the way I think about travelling. Before watching her, I thought a good trip meant expensive hotels and famous places. Now I'm much more interested in meeting people and understanding how they live. So, for me, she's not just a celebrity but a kind of role model.

1. Why do so many young people want to become famous?

I think the main reason is that fame looks very attractive from the outside. On social media, young people see celebrities with expensive cars, nice clothes and lots of fans, so they assume being famous means an easy and exciting life. Also, many teenagers simply want to feel noticed and appreciated, and having a lot of followers seems like a quick way to get that.

2. Do you think famous people should be role models for children?

Ideally, yes, because children copy what they see, and celebrities are watched by millions of kids every day. So I think famous people have a responsibility to behave well in public. But at the same time, I don't think parents should rely on celebrities to teach their children values. In my view, the most important role models are still parents and teachers.

3. How has social media changed the way people become famous?

It has made fame much more accessible. In the past, you usually had to appear on TV or in newspapers to become well known, which was very difficult. Nowadays, an ordinary person can post a funny video and become famous overnight. The problem is that this kind of fame often doesn't last long, because people quickly move on to the next trend.

4. Should celebrities be allowed to keep their private lives private?

I believe they should, at least to some extent. Being famous is part of their job, but their family and personal relationships are not. For example, I don't think it's acceptable for photographers to follow celebrities' children to school. However, if a famous person does something illegal, then the public has a right to know about it.