"They are extremely productive, simply because they are motivated by the fact that their Socialist Republic is self sufficient." This read almost exactly from descriptions of North Korea and their juchi (self sufficiency) theme.
Lenin used to refer to such as you as "useful idiots." Now, with the Soviet Union dead, China metamorphing into a fascist state, only a few rag tag communists states such as Cuba, Vietnam and North Korea and, of course, the diehard holdouts in the halls of academia (US and Europe), its more like “useless idiots.”
As to the photo, the buildings look much more shabby than in the days of South Viet Nam. Whitewash is drag and sooty. The roofs are missing several clay shingles. Come the rainy season, there will be leaks. Was the man standing to your right, your tour guide? Usually, they are an agent of the government, even for the private tour guide services. I still get spammed by several Viet Namese companies for such services. Wonder which one of the old gals is the party block warden? No one dares complain!
A little something from Human Rights Watch.
"The Vietnamese government tightened controls on freedom of expression during 2010, harassing, arresting, and jailing dozens of writers, political activists, and other peaceful critics.
Cyber-attacks originating from Vietnam-based servers disabled dissident websites and the government introduced new restrictions on public internet shops while continuing to restrict access to numerous overseas websites.
Public protests over evictions, confiscation of church properties, and police brutality were met at times with excessive use of force by police. Police routinely tortured suspects in custody.
Vietnam, which served as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2010, demonstrated little respect for core principles in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Charter to "strengthen democracy" and "protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms."
2010 saw a steady stream of political trials and arrests as the government stepped up suppression of dissent in advance of the 11th Communist Party congress in January 2011. In December 2009 and January 2010, five activists linked to the banned Democratic Party of Vietnam, including lawyer Le Cong Dinh, were sentenced to prison on subversion charges, followed by the January 29 sentencing of democracy campaigner Pham Thanh Nghien for disseminating anti-government propaganda. On February 5 writer and former political prisoner Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, who was arrested after trying to attend the trials of fellow dissidents in 2009, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' imprisonment on trumped-up assault charges.
The government does not allow independent or privately-owned domestic media to operate and exerts strict controls over the press and internet. Criminal penalties apply to authors, publications, websites, and internet users who disseminate materials that oppose the government, threaten national security, reveal state secrets, or promote "reactionary" ideas. The government blocks access to politically sensitive websites, requires internet cafe owners to monitor and store information about users' online activities, and subjects independent bloggers and online critics to harassment and pressure.
The government restricts religious practices through legislation, registration requirements, harassment, and surveillance. A special centrally directed police unit (A41) monitors groups the authorities consider religious "extremists."
Religious groups are required to register with the government and operate under government-controlled management boards. The government bans any religious activity deemed to oppose "national interests," harm national unity, cause public disorder, or "sow divisions."
http://www.hrw.org/world-report-2011/Vietnam
Of course, you didn’t comment on the 737,000 exterminated under the One Red Viet Nam program.