Vietnam to host Miss World 2026 for first time

The specific schedule for the 73rd Miss World pageant will be announced by Julia Morley, chairwoman and CEO of the Miss World Organization, at the final of Miss World Vietnam 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City on March 29, which she will attend alongside reigning Miss World 2025 Opal Suchata.

Between 100 and 130 contestants from countries and territories worldwide are expected to take part in the competition, which will last several weeks and feature activities such as fashion showcases, sports challenges, talent performances, and community-focused projects.

Organizers say the event will serve as a platform to promote Vietnam’s heritage, people, and tourism potential, positioning the country as a destination of culture, beauty, and aspiration.

Vietnam’s representative at the upcoming global pageant will be Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, a 25-year-old from Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta.

Standing at 1.86 meters, Bao Ngoc was first runner-up at Miss World Vietnam 2022 before winning Miss Intercontinental 2022.

She is considered a strong contestant thanks to her international experience, academic achievements, and community work.

She holds an IELTS score of 8.0, graduated with honors in business administration, and currently serves as CEO of Miss World Vietnam 2025.

Founded in the United Kingdom in 1951, Miss World is the longest-running international beauty pageant and is widely regarded as one of the two most prestigious global competitions, alongside Miss Universe.

In recent years, the pageant has emphasized its ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ message, honoring contestants who combine physical beauty with intelligence and a commitment to social and charitable causes.

Vietnam’s role as host is seen as a milestone for its beauty and event industries, offering an opportunity to enhance its global profile while supporting the growth of tourism and creative sectors.

Vietnamese contestants have recorded several notable results at Miss World, including Tran Ngoc Lan Khue, who reached the top 11 in 2015, Luong Thuy Linh, who made the top 12 in 2019, and Do Thi Ha, who placed in the top 13 in 2021.