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.