[Diary Point=Reporter Choi Seung-jin] Nguyen Yen Trang, from Hanoi, won Miss Vietnam 2026 at the final held on Nov. 7 in Hai Phong, Vietnam. The 20-year-old student took the crown from a field of 25 finalists. Tran Xuan Khanh Linh placed second, and Le Phuong Nghi came in third. A media outlet under the Vietnamese prime minister’s office reported that Trang won ahead of the other 24 contestants.
Trang studies elementary education at Hanoi Capital University. During the final question-and-answer round, she was asked how she would introduce Vietnam’s peaceful beauty to the international community. Her response referred to the 2019 US–North Korea summit held in Vietnam. The top five who competed in the final round of answers were Trang, Dinh Hoang Gia Linh, Dang Thi Ngoc Lan, Le Phuong Nghi and Tran Xuan Khanh Linh.
The final took place in an open-air venue at the Do Son International Tourism Area’s Dragon Ocean complex in Hai Phong. The 25 contestants took the stage after months of selection, training and hands-on activities, and the top five went on to the question-and-answer round. They had been chosen from 53 candidates at a national selection event on Oct. 10. The show featured traditional ao dai, swimwear and evening gown segments. For the ao dai presentation, contestants wore “Mạch Liên Hoa,” a collection by Ngoc Han and designer Han Nguyen.
Before the final, the organizers said contestants visited the K15 wireless dock historical site in Hai Phong to pay their respects, and toured the Con Son–Kiep Bac historical complex and Chu Dau pottery village. They also visited a care center for veterans and the SOS Children’s Village, and took part in mangrove planting and marine conservation activities along the Do Son coast. The pageant evaluated contestants on these field activities and their training and learning, as well as their stage performances.
This year’s theme was “Miền Hương Sắc,” and the competition’s four criteria were beauty, culture, intellect and dedication. At a pre-final press conference, organizing committee chair Phuc Cong Su, editor-in-chief of Tien Phong newspaper, said: “When the stage lights go out, what remains is not only the new Miss, but also the story of Vietnamese women—with cultural depth, the intellect of their time and compassion.” He added: “The crown is recognition today, but responsibility and dedication create value for tomorrow.”
The final judging panel included chair Phuc Cong Su; Dang Thai Huyen, deputy director of the People’s Army Cinema Department; Nguyen Viet Khoi, vice rector of the University of Science and Arts at Vietnam National University, Hanoi; photographer and director Le Thien Vien; designer Le Thanh Hoa; and Do My Linh, Miss Vietnam 2016. Pham Thi Mai Phuong, the 2002 winner, joined as a guest judge.
The organizers said more than 400 people applied to compete. About 9,000 people attended the final, where singers Minh Hang, Van Mai Huong, Mai Quynh, Minh Ngoc and S.T Son Thach performed. Bui Duc Bao and Khanh Vy hosted the show. In special awards, Tran Xuan Khanh Linh was named Compassion Ambassador, Ta Thi Hoa received the Tourism and Environment Ambassador title, and Bui Mai Linh was named Beauty of the Sea.