Miss Vietnam 2026 themed “Realm of Fragrance and Beauty” will centre on the values of inner beauty, intellect, and cultural depth, as organisers move away from traditional beauty standards toward more meaningful and inspiring representations of Vietnamese women, said journalist Phung Cong Suong, Editor-in-Chief of Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper and head of the organising committee of the beauty contest.

He explained that “fragrance” represents compassion, inner depth, and cultural identity, while “beauty” reflects intellect, courage, and aspiration. The contest, he said, is not seeking a perfect model, but individuals capable of inspiring society.

The winners must embody not only physical beauty but also intelligence, cultural understanding, and a spirit of contribution, he noted.

The shift in concept also comes with a change in format. Instead of focusing mainly on the final night, Miss Vietnam 2026 will place greater emphasis on real-life activities and community engagement, allowing judges to assess contestants more comprehensively.

This year, Hai Phong has been selected to host key stages of the competition, marking a transition from Hue, which hosted the 2024 edition. Organisers described the move as a combination of cultural heritage and modern urban dynamism, offering contestants a more practical environment to demonstrate their abilities.

The competition will also introduce a stronger technological foundation, with online applications, voting systems, and data management fully digitised to enhance transparency and audience interaction.

Miss Vietnam 2026 offers a top prize of VND500 million, with runners-up receiving VND300 million and VND250 million, respectively. Additional titles, including ambassadors for charity, tourism, environment, and sea beauty, will also be awarded, aligned with the competition’s four core values: beauty, culture, intellect, and contribution.

According to the organising committee, the deadline for submitting applications nationwide is from now until June 12. The national preliminary round is expected to take place in June. Diverse activities as part of the Miss Vietnam 2026 pageant will be organised throughout June and July, and the final night is slated for August.

Since its inception in 1988, Miss Vietnam has emerged as one of the most prestigious national beauty contests aiming to honour Vietnamese women’s beauty, spirit, lifestyle, and talent.

Miss Vietnam 2026 is a biennial national beauty contest which is open for young Vietnamese women aged above 18. It aims to seek local beauties who will go on to represent the country at international pageants. Most recently, Miss Vietnam 2022 Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy became the first Vietnamese beauty to be crowned Miss International held in Japan.

Last year Ha Truc Linh from Phu Yen province triumphed over 24 other contestants to be crowned Miss Vietnam 2024 during the glittering final night held in Hue, the former imperial city of Vietnam.

Truc Linh crowned Miss Vietnam 2024 in Hue Grand Finale

VOV.VN - Ha Truc Linh triumphed over 24 other contestants to be crowned Miss Vietnam 2024 during the glittering final night of June 27 held in Hue, the former imperial city of Vietnam.