You said it. Daughter and I were there in 2000 and it was a wide open free enterprise zone then.
Went back to the Ben Thanh market. Swear some of the old shopkeepers were still there.
Asked what happened when NVA invaded Saigon, they said “Business slow for 3 weeks... then pick up!”
Got an incredible “Blightling” watch, official Hero Pilot size. $40.