Miss World 2026 opening show in Vietnam draws mixed reactions to ‘ao dai’ designs

The 73rd Miss World opening ceremony took place on Wednesday evening, bringing together 111 contestants from countries and territories around the world, along with reigning Miss World Opal Suchata.

The outdoor event started around 30 minutes late as it rained heavily shortly before the scheduled start.

Designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam’s 'Tinh hoa lua Viet' (Essence of Vietnamese Silk) collection opened the show, with Vietnamese beauty queens Que Anh, Yen Nhi, and Ngoc Hang performing 'Hello Vietnam' during the ao dai segment.

The contestants walked the runway in ao dai paired with non la (conical hats) featuring Ha Long Bay motifs, showcasing Vietnamese cultural and natural heritage to audiences around the world.

In fact, the ao dai collection was reportedly changed at the last minute.

Designer Hoai Nam had previously said the contestants would wear designs from his 'The gioi nhu toi thay' (The World as I See It) collection, which incorporated national flags and images of landmarks from different countries.

The change prompted discussion among beauty pageant followers, with some viewers noting similarities between the new designs and collections previously presented at Miss Cosmo.

Others argued that the two collections should not be compared and welcomed the opportunity for international contestants to wear ao dai as part of the promotion of Vietnamese culture.

Some viewers nevertheless criticized the new designs for their styling and color schemes, saying they reminded them of ao dai from previous decades and failed to create the expected visual impact.

There was also online debate over the material used for the collection. Although the emcee introduced it as being made from Vietnamese silk, some viewers questioned whether the fabric was actually Japanese velvet imported from China. 

The debate following the opening ceremony highlights the continued public interest in ao dai when it appears on international stages. 

While audiences welcome efforts to promote Vietnam’s image, they also expect the designs to be well-crafted, contemporary, and capable of making a strong impression on international viewers.

For many viewers, the debate over the designs and event organization should be seen as feedback to help improve the upcoming segments of the competition and showcase Vietnam’s image more effectively to international audiences.

The show itself also came under scrutiny. Viewers complained that introductions of guests and sponsors, as well as musical performances, took up a substantial amount of airtime, leaving less time for the contestants.

“We want to see the contestants, not singers,” one viewer commented.

Others criticized the hosts for stumbling over some parts of the script and said the lengthy introductions slowed the pace of the program.

Reigning Miss World Opal Suchata said she was excited to return to Vietnam and visit Quang Ninh for the first time.

She praised the province’s scenery, culture, and people, saying she hoped Miss World could help promote Vietnam internationally.

The Thai beauty queen also expressed her enthusiasm for Vietnamese cuisine and said she wanted to try more local dishes, wear ao dai, and explore the country’s attractions during her stay.