That trip was in 2003. Việt Nam has grown prosperous since then and has discovered tourist income. Việt Nam is transforming into immense Disneyland. A few years ago I could go a month without seeing a foreigner. Now they are everywhere. No complaint. I have seen many people whom I knew as very poor are now enjoying some prosperity. The downside is that among the visitors are folks who shoplift and get into fights and have even shot locals. Well, one of those and he was Chinese. I guess it is easier to get a gun into the country across the border than through the airport.
So much for communism in Vietnam would mean slavery for the people there.