Vietnam pageant organizer apologizes after schoolchildren watch bikini segment

According to Dorii Pro Media Entertainment Events Co. Ltd., the organizer of the Miss Tourism Identity Vietnam 2026 pageant, the original plan was to present 50 social welfare gifts to disadvantaged students in Ly Son Special Zone, an island off Quang Ngai Province, during a break in the program, completely separate from the pageant's performance segments.

However, as the event took place amid prolonged hot weather, the stage coordination team moved the students into the audience area earlier than scheduled to protect their health and safety.

This inflexible and inadequate handling of the situation resulted in the students, wearing school uniforms, sitting in the front rows while the swimsuit segment was taking place, the organizer said.

The organizer acknowledged that the incident resulted in inappropriate images and sparked public outrage.

They said the failure to establish separate spaces for the students was a serious shortcoming in stage coordination and management.

The incident affected the cultural and educational environment, upset local authorities, caused concern among parents, negatively affected the students' psychological well-being, and damaged the reputation of the program, the apology letter said.

The organizer apologized to the Quang Ngai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ly Son Special Zone, saying the coordination failure had triggered unwanted public reaction and affected local government oversight and the area's cultural and tourism image.

Regarding the schools, parents, and 50 students, the organizer said the shortcoming undermined the original humanitarian purpose of the gift-giving activity. The program was intended to encourage and support the students and “there was absolutely no intention of having them participate in or watch sensitive segments of the adult pageant.”

As corrective measures, Dorii Pro and the organizing committee pledged to conduct a review and hold the individuals in charge of stage coordination accountable.

The organizer also promised to completely separate social and charitable activities involving students and children from the stage and pageant segments at future events.

They will also review and tighten organizational procedures, scripts, security plans, and audience arrangements for the grand finale to ensure compliance with directions from the Quang Ngai Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and relevant regulations.

The organizing committee also asked for the understanding and forgiveness of parents, students, and the public, the apology letter said.

Earlier, a video posted on social media attracted public attention after pageant contestants performed in bikinis in front of a group of young schoolchildren. The incident sparked outrage and widespread discussion online.