By Vietnamese Embassy in Tehran

Viet Nam, 81 years of independence: from renovation process to stepping confidently into a new era

81 years – a proud chapter in our national history

TEHRAN- On 2 September 1945, President Ho Chi Minh, the revered leader of the Vietnamese people, proclaimed to the world the birth of an independent and free Viet Nam. This historic day has since become the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. From that historic milestone, independence and self-reliance have remained guiding principles throughout the cause of national defense and development. Eighty-one years may not be a long period in the history of a nation, but they represent a proud journey for Viet Nam – from a country that had just regained its independence, through years of extremely difficult war, to an economy with a GDP of more than US$ 500 billion.

By Mahnaz Abdi

From oil to orchids: how Vietnam made tourism its economic engine, what Iran must learn

TEHRAN- As a tourist-journalist who has visited many countries, my long journey through Vietnam in November 2024—from the dynamic streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the lantern-lit alleys of Hoi An, the imperial citadels of Hue, the bustling energy of Hanoi, and the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay—left me not just in awe of its beauty, but profoundly impressed by its strategic genius. Vietnam has done what few developing nations have achieved: it has transformed tourism from a peripheral activity into a central economic pillar, a veritable engine of national prosperity. For Iran, a nation rich in heritage but poor in tourism revenue, the lessons are urgent and actionable.