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| The finalists participating in an activity in Hue. Photo: The organizing committee |
With the theme “Radiant Vietnam”, this is the 19th edition of the Miss Vietnam beauty pageant, with the grand finale is scheduled to take place on June 14, 2025, on a water stage on the Perfume River.
In 1988, Vietnam held the first beauty pageant under the name Miss National Tien Phong Newspaper, and the crown was awarded to Bui Bich Phuong. 14 years later, the beauty pageant officially was named Miss Vietnam, and this was the very first national-scaled Miss beauty pageant after the country’s unification. Few people know that even earlier, in 1955, a beauty contest was held in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), also under the name Miss Vietnam, and Cong Thi Nghia became the first national-scale beauty queen in Vietnam’s history.
By choosing Hue as the host city for the Miss Vietnam beauty pageant’s grand finale, the organizing committee affirms that this is not merely a traditional beauty contest, but is also a reflection of the cultural elegance and traditional values of Vietnamese women. As journalist Tran Tuan, a representative of the Miss Vietnam organizing committee shared, this year’s pageant features many new elements. The final round will take place in the cultural space of the ancient capital, contributing to the promotion, and celebration of Hue’s traditional identity in particular and Vietnamese culture in general.
As one of only two contestants from Hue among the 25 finalists, Pham Thi Thanh Xuan sees this as a special responsibility to help spread the gentle, profound, and hospitable beauty of Hue locals to friends both at home and abroad. Born in 2005, the young beauty also hopes that her serious preparation and her deep for the hometown will allow her to shine in her own unique way as a true daughter of Hue.
The beauty of Hue women is rarely seen in beauty pageants. However, with the wave of cultural integration, young women from Hue have begun stepping onto stages that celebrate beauty. In 2010, Ton Nu Na Uy, a 12th-generation descendant of the Nguyen Kim royal lineage, competed in Miss Vietnam and made it into the Top 20. In 2014, Le Thi Ha Thu won the first runner-up title at Miss Ocean Vietnam and marked her name in the Top 17 at the final of Miss Intercontinental 2015. In 2017, she continued her journey by making it into the Top 16 at Miss Earth. Although they did not take the top titles, Ton Nu Na Uy and Le Thi Ha Thu brought national attention to the graceful and demure beauty of Hue women.
Speaking of the beauty of Hue women, one was reminded of the famous lines by poet Han Mac Tu in his renowned poem Day Thon Vy Da (This is Vy Da Village):
“The wind takes its own path, the clouds their own way/The water flows sadly, and the cornflowers sway”. Here, Hue woman is portrayed with a gentle and dreamy beauty, blending harmoniously with nature as the embodiment of elegance and grace. Likewise, the image of Truong Tien bridge is often likened to a graceful young woman, with a delicate, refined charm captured in two verses written by poet Nguyen Binh: “The bridge arches like an ivory comb/The river flows like the hanging tresses of a moon maiden”.
I am particularly impressed by the four selection criteria emphasized in this year’s Miss Vietnam beauty pageant, including beauty - culture - intelligence - dedication. These criteria highlight a focus on well-rounded beauty, not only in appearance but also in spirit, intellect, and social contribution. Perhaps this is one of the rare beauty contests in Vietnam that remains steadfast in upholding traditional values and honoring natural beauty. The emphasis on natural beauty is significant, and it offers a valuable opportunity for Phan Thi Thanh Xuan and her fellow contestant Nguyen Phuong Nhi to showcase and spread the distinctive charm of Hue.