Vietnam has produced some remarkable delegates who have not only performed well in the competition but also managed to secure top position in the competition. They trained, nourished and prepared themselves so well that they can make not only their families proud but also everyone in their home country proud.
2018 was one of the most successful year for the delegates of Vietnam participating in international pageants as they were placed at top positions. Even if they didn’t win except Nguyen Phuong Khánh who was crowned Miss Earth 2018, they were applauded for their extraordinary performance at the stage. Here are the delegates of Vietnam who performed and were placed at the high position in the year 2018 at international pageants.
H'Hen Niê represented Vietnam at Miss Universe 2018 and was placed at Top 5 during the event finale. H'Hen Niê achieved the highest achievement of Vietnam in the history of Miss Universe pageant.
H’Hen is a Vietnamese model who was born in Ðok Lek. She was raised speaking the Rade language, and did not learn Vietnamese until she was in eighth grade. She grew up working on a coffee farm assisting her family. She studied Corporate Finance from College of Foreign Economic Relations. She worked as a domestic helper for a year to pay the bills while she was in college. When H'Hen was working as an intern at a bank, she began considering a career in modelling. She was discovered by the Vietnamese designer Ðo Minh Cueng while attempting to begin a modelling career. As she gained interest in the industry, she auditioned for season 6 of Vietnam's Next Top Model in 2015, where she became a finalist. She finally participated in Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 and was crowned by the end of the event finale. She went onto represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2018 where she was placed at Top 5. She brought an inspirational story about a girl from a poor countryside, overcoming difficulties to pursue her dream at Miss Universe stage.
H'Hen, after listed in the top 5, was required to answer a question. "The #MeToo movement has sparked a global conversation. In response, some have said that the world has become too politically correct. Do you think the #MeToo movement has gone too far?" To which the diva answered, "I don't think it has gone too far. Because protecting human's well-being, protecting sexual harassment victims, protecting women is the right thing to do”. H'Hen's modelling career significantly took off after she won Miss Universe Vietnam 2017. She became an ambassador for various brands and appeared on multiple magazine covers and editorial features. She has walked for fashion shows in Vietnam and overseas. Under her Miss Universe Vietnam reign, H'Hen rallies for support for the unfortunate, the elderly as well as HIV/AIDS victims. She became a global ambassador for Room to Read in 2018, a non-profit organization focusing on providing resources for girls' education and literacy programs.
Phuong Khánh Nguyen was crowned Miss Earth 2018 on 3rd November 2018 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. This was the first time Vietnam won the Miss Earth pageant; one of the Big Four international beauty pageants. Nguyen was born in Bin Tre Province, in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. She studied earned her Bachelor’s in Marketing Degree from Curtin Singapore, a branch campus of Australia's Curtin University and stayed in the university to study Master of Business Administration. She speaks fluent Vietnamese, French and English.
Phuong Khánh was only 15-years-old when she got fascinated by beauty pageants and desired to represent her country in a beauty pageant. Nguyen’s brother was Miss Vietnam Luu Thi Diem Huong's makeup artist during the pageant. He worked to support her studies abroad and guided in her pursuit to become a beauty queen. She was announced as the Miss Earth Vietnam 2018 after getting approval from Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. She later went onto represent Vietnam at Miss Earth 2018 and was eventually crowned as the winner by the end of the event finale. She also won sponsor awards; Miss Puerto Princesa Centro Hotel, Miss Robig Builders and Miss Ruj Beauty Care & Spa. As well as gold medals for National Costume competition (Asia and Oceania) and Evening Gown competition (Water Group) and a silver medal for Swimsuit competition (Water Group).
"Being a millennial, what do you think is the most pressing issue of your generation?" She answered, “my answer is our ignoring. We have so many technologies, and we just use social media and only care about ourselves. We should spend our time to think and feel with what's happening with the Earth right now. One small action multiplied by a million people can transform the world”. She was applauded for her tremendous work for the betterment of Vietnam’s environment. She was awarded WeChoice Awards in 2019 for her work in Miss Earth pageant and her contribution to the community from various garbage campaigns in the river and campaigns to gradually change living habits to have a great significance in protecting the environment
Phuong Khánh led a Trash Challenge on March 22, 2019, by cleaning the garbage below Saigon Bridge crossing the Saigon River, with Korean singer Han Sara and Vietnamese pop group Uni5 She was designated as the Ambassador of the Earth Hour 2019 in March 2019 to promote the event and to implement several environmental protection activities. As ambassador, Phuong Khanh urged everyone to voluntarily turn off unnecessary lights and equipment for an hour, contributing to spreading the message "Save Energy, Save Earth - Energy saving, Earth protection". After her reign as Miss Earth ended, Phuong Khanh immediately moved to Malaysia as the representative of Carousel Productions and served as one of the juries for the Miss Earth Malaysia 2019 pageant. A commemorative postage stamp with her photo was issued by the Government of Malaysia in honour to her visit to the country to promote environmental protection and to attend the Miss Earth Malaysia 2019.
Minh Tu Nguyen represented Vietnam at Miss Supranational 2018 on 7th December 2018 for the fifth time in Krynica-Zdrój. She was placed at the Top 10 by the end of the event finale. She started her career in the world of modelling in 2011, and two years later competed in Supermodel Vietnam 2013 competition earning the silver prize in the contest. She was one of the three mentors of The Face Vietnam 2017 as well as a alumni mentor for season six of Asia's Next Top Model. She was appointed Miss Supranational Vietnam 2018 and was placed at Top 10 of Miss Supranational 2018 pageant finale.
Tran Tieu Vy was the youngest contender for the title and she represented Vietnam at Miss World 2018 which was held on 8th December 2018 at the Sanya City Arena in Sanya, China. She was placed at the Top 30 by the end of the event finale. This Vietnamese beauty has her personal motto which best describes her, “If you believe, you can achieve.” This motto is something she relates to very easily, because once she sets a goal, her belief, hardworking and determination to achieve always comes into fruition and provides her success. Even though she couldn’t reach to the top position at the pageant, she was one of the fan’s favourites. She wanted to take up jobs to support her family but her mother insisted her to focus on studies. Soon, she developed interest in modelling and beauty pageants. She passed the entrance exam to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, majoring in Business Administration and moved towards pageantry. Tieu Vy likes to travel and capture happy moments of youth to share with people on social networks. Tieu Vy's journey from the beginning of the competition to the top of the crown is considered by many to be convincing. In addition to modern beauty, impressive personality, Tieu Vy's conduct in the competition is highly appreciated.
Bui Phuong Nga represented Vietnam at Miss Grand International 2018 which was held on 25th October 2018 at at The ONE Entertainment Park, in the city of Yangon. She was placed at the Top 10 by the end of the event finale. Even though she was sick during the competition, she performed exceedingly well in the pageant. The representative of Vietnam received many compliments for its radiant, energetic manner. Phuong Nga showcased her eloquence during the question and answer round; on the topic of Peace. She was able to speak fluently in English with confidence and was also the only contestant to actively interact with the audience. The beauty shared that, despite living in peacetime, she still thought about the American war in Vietnam before, causing damage to both sides. Phuong Nga expressed that only love and sharing can bring peace to the world. Unable to go any further, Phuong Nga still expressed her happiness and sent her gratitude to the viewers who always care and support her.
Ngân Anh Lê Âu represented Vietnam at Miss Intercontinental 2018 which was held in 26th January 2019 at the Mall of Asia Arena. She was adjudged the title of 4th Runner-up by the end of the event finale. She was known to the public for the first time through the Miss Ocean 2017 contest. She was one of the controversial contestants during her pageant. In the final night, Ngan Anh wore a red evening gown with daring cuts. International beauty fans quickly discovered that her outfit has many similarities with the evening dresses of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. This makes the beauty receive criticism for imitating Miss Universe but she performed with grace and didn’t let people’s comment bother her. Ngan Anh was asked the question during the pageant "How do you define success?". She said she had been a victim of social bullying and claimed that she had succeeded in fighting for her dreams. Her answer was praised by the international press and she was eventually announced as the 4th runner-up.
