Miss Grand Vietnam 2026: A British-Vietnamese beauty's journey back to her roots

Raised between international worlds, Emoura Pham came to Vietnam last year with a simple goal: to explore her heritage.

On Friday night, that personal journey reached a national stage as she was crowned Miss Grand Vietnam 2026.

Pham—whose full name is Turner Katherine Margaret and Vietnamese name is Pham Chan Phuong—triumphed over 29 other finalists at the grand finale in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday. 

The 24-year-old beauty will now represent Vietnam at the Miss Grand International 2026 pageant in India this November.

Born in 2000 to a British father of South African descent and a Vietnamese mother, the 1.70-meter pageant winner grew up attending the British International School (BIS) and The American School (TAS) in Vietnam before studying fine arts at Irvine Valley College in California.

She returned to Vietnam in 2025 to re-anchor herself in her mother’s homeland.

“Vietnam is where my family and my roots are,” Pham said.

"I wanted to reconnect with my heritage, learn more about Vietnamese culture, and share the stories of its people with the world.”

Prior to her pageant victory, Pham made her television debut on Vietnam’s Next Top Model 2025.

Though she fell short of the finals, she viewed the experience as a vital stepping stone into the creative industry.

Since then, she has built a career as a professional model and influencer, gracing the runways of Vietnam International Fashion Week and featuring in collections by prominent designer Adrian Anh Tuan.

To prepare for the national stage, Pham honed her runway technique under Filipino coach Jethro while undergoing training in vocal performance, guitar, and both traditional and contemporary dance.

Reflecting on her crowning moment, Pham stressed that her ambitions extend far beyond the sash and tiara.

“I didn’t join simply to compete in a beauty pageant,” she noted.

“I want to use my platform to spread positive values and inspire young people who are searching for their own identity.”

In the final standings, Ngo Bao Ngoc of Ho Chi Minh City was named first runner-up and will represent Vietnam at the second edition of Miss Grand International All Stars in Thailand.

The remaining runner-up spots were awarded to Vo Doan Bao Ha (Dong Nai City), Phan Le Kim Ngoc (Can Tho City), and Trinh Yen Nhi (Dak Lak Province).