Could Vietnam still be called socialist? (Also Laos)

It was never the case in the Soviet Union, granted there were elements of socialist economy. Production, both the means and the yields, were managed by the administration and completely unaccountable to the workers.

Some central organ of management needed to exist to avoid collapse
This Maoism was just Dengism before Dengism was a thing

Maybe. That is, however, not socialism.
And that's a good thing.

what is socialism and which societies achieved it

...

None, of course. There are significant elements of socialism around the world, which is how it has been with past formations too.
Sorry to say it, but read Marx. Or at least Wiki.

Its fully Socialism with capitalist characteristics

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where and what do you mean "elements of socialism"?

When the government does stuff.
Like the US army.

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