Philippine witch, Thai buffalo and Vietnam’s paper horses turn heads at Miss Grand 2026 International 2026

The pageant’s National Costume competition saw nearly 80 contestants take the stage in elaborate creations celebrating their countries’ histories, traditions, and beliefs ahead of the grand final.

Far from conventional national attire, many outfits featured oversized structures, intricate accessories, and theatrical elements, transforming the runway into a showcase of cultural storytelling.

Vietnam’s 20kg paper-horse spectacle

Vietnamese representative Emoura Pham made a striking appearance in Vinh Quy Bai To (Returning Home in Glory to Honor One’s Ancestors), a 20-kilogram costume designed by Pham Minh Man.

Inspired by ceremonial paper horses in Vietnamese folk culture, the design recreates the triumphant homecoming of a scholar after passing the imperial examinations, a tradition associated with achievement, gratitude, and honoring one's roots.

Two elaborately crafted horses and a ceremonial parasol dominated the outfit, making balance and controlled movements essential to Pham’s performance.

Philippine witch meets Thailand’s royal buffalo

The Philippines brought a darker touch to the runway as Angelica Lopez appeared in a costume inspired by the mangkukulam, a witch-like figure associated with magic and supernatural practices in Philippine folklore.

With its mysterious aesthetic, the design stood apart from the more colorful and celebratory costumes.

Host nation Thailand, meanwhile, turned to its agricultural heritage.

Patthama Jitsawat showcased The Royal Buffalo of Siam, a costume inspired by the traditional buffalo racing festival in Chonburi, with the animal representing strength and resilience.

Across the competition, designers drew on everything from folk beliefs and traditional crafts to festivals and farming traditions, reimagining familiar cultural symbols as larger-than-life stage costumes.

The sheer size and weight of many outfits also added a physical challenge, requiring contestants to balance showmanship with careful movement.

Vietnam eyes another Miss Grand milestone

Emoura Pham, born in 2000 to a Vietnamese mother and a British father of South African descent, stands 1.7 meters tall and studied at international schools in Vietnam before attending Irvine Valley College in California.

Vietnam has enjoyed a strong record at Miss Grand International, which was founded in Thailand in 2013.

Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien claimed the country’s first crown in 2021, while Le Hoang Phuong finished fourth runner-up and won Best National Costume when Vietnam hosted the pageant in 2023.

Other Vietnamese representatives have also advanced to the competition’s top rankings, although Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi failed to place in 2025.