Back in my day we were "real programmers" and edited files by precisely waving magnets over our hard disks. Sure we still had some dinosaurs around that longed for the days of swapping out sector gears on their difference engines, but they were harmless enough so we kept them around for the amusement.
There are few jurisdictions where the US Government can't easily get at you, either physically or financially. China, Venezuela, North Korea, Russia the list is super thin and almost exclusively places you either don't want to be or where you better be a protected local (otherwise they'll just hang you out to dry for their own benefit or amusement).
Most authorities around the world will want to nail you - and or your money - in cooperation with the US authorities (or otherwise for their own benefit). Once they know the US wants you, you become a toy to be used to some end, you're toast, your life is over.
Maybe. This isn't a political target though, this is criminals wanting money. At most the governments gets a bit of tax money: it just isn't worth it even before you consider that the gangs who can pull this off may turn against the governments. Governments may want the types of people on staff who can pull off these attacks, but they are careful on who gets targeted, and money isn't the goal.
Vietnam doesn't like the US for historical reasons, but overall they want to play on the world stage. Also US relations have been thawing over the years. I'm inclined to think they see it as to their advantage to help out.
Similar with China - they want the ability to get at the US, but they are more likely to reserve it for something that matters to them. Money doesn't really matter as much as they get plenty sending the US cheap plastic toys. Though if China declares war next week this could be their first attack (highly unlikely, it is possible though)
Governments are faillible. Corruption and organized crime exists.
Vietnam has a complicated relationship with the US. Don't trust western media too much on it, there is quite a bit of propaganda and extrapolation from conflict with China that doesn't carry over. Relations with the US appear to thaw but this is mainly limited to trade. Strategically Vietnam is solidly allied with Russia and otherwise independent. There is no scenario in which Vietnam extradites to America or allows American intelligence to operate on their soil.
The same is with China. There is zero political cost, they will simply ignore the hackers until they leave the country. US intelligence is quite weak in terms of real assets in China, so uncertainty would be very high.
