If I remember right, except for a few failing factories built by the Japanese and a weak tourism business, Vietnam has been a basketcase for 40 years.
Guilt?
yitbos
In the late 1980’s Vietnam sought MFN status with the USA.
John McCain “forgave” his torturers and gave a number of speeches explaining why it was essential for us to have a powerful trade relationship with Vietnam.
The news networks went bananas supporting this idea (and stroking the always obliging McCain) - probably because they hoped Cuba would be next on the list.
The political “hook” was that unless the USA rushed in with investment and trade contracts, other less deserving nations would get there first.
It was a ludicrous misrepresentation of Vietnam's economy and government 25 years ago, and still is today.