On the morning of 6/9, Bao Ngoc shared that she woke up later than usual, no longer needing to rush through a packed competition schedule as she had for the past month. "The feeling of happiness remains intact within me. It will likely be a long time before I forget the moment I wore the ao dai, stood on the Miss World stage, and heard the words 'Vietnam' echo repeatedly, just like last night. For me, that moment was not just joy but also pride, contributing a small part to bringing the image and culture of my homeland to friends around the world," she said.

Bao Ngoc was called into the top 6, marking Vietnam's best achievement in 24 appearances at Miss World to date.

Bao Ngoc stated she was not saddened by finishing in the top 6 or missing out on other subsidiary titles at the competition. She considers the achievement a beautiful milestone of her early twenties. "As I shared before the final, I approach all results with a calm mindset," she said.

According to Bao Ngoc, the crown for Joheirry Mola Dominguez was well-deserved. She felt the 24-year-old beauty from the Dominican Republic possessed a beautiful, composed smile and was amiable with fellow contestants.

Bao Ngoc performed in an ao dai and an evening gown during the final. Photo: Thanh Tung

Her journey at Miss World left Bao Ngoc with many cherished memories. Standing on stage after the lights had dimmed, seeing many spectators linger, and receiving hugs from friends and colleagues, Bao Ngoc expressed happiness at feeling loved.

She particularly remembers the "sea of flags" created by the audience below the stage and the cheers of encouragement each time her name was called to advance. During the top 6 question-and-answer segment, the beauty said she chose not to give a perfect or flowery answer. "I simply thought to clearly state what I truly believed and felt most sincerely," she said.

According to Bao Ngoc, her journey at Miss World was filled with gratitude, which is why she often bowed her head or placed her hand on her chest during many moments on stage. Photo: Thanh Tung

For Bao Ngoc, the greatest thing she gained from Miss World was the experience of maturing and building friendships with beauties from across the globe. The moment the contestants embraced on stage deeply moved her. At the competition, Bao Ngoc had the opportunity to speak about Gen Zero, her passionate community project focused on sustainable development and raising environmental awareness among young people.

The beauty stated that her success is not measured by her ranking but by making her parents proud. As she shared in her Q&A, Bao Ngoc views her parents as role models, teaching her the value of dedication and sacrifice for others. Her family was present early on the night of the competition to support her. The moment she returned to her parents' embrace, all her fatigue disappeared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Hai, Bao Ngoc's mother, expressed a slight regret about the result but was pleased to see her daughter growing more mature and resolute in her work and community values.

Bao Ngoc on stage and meeting her parents during the final night.

Bao Ngoc is currently resting in Nha Trang for one more day, then she will travel to TP HCM on 8/9 to resume her studies and new projects.

Prior to the final, many beauty websites ranked Bao Ngoc among the prominent contenders, predicting her to win. For her, this recognition served as motivation, not a burden. "I am grateful for the affection that domestic and international audiences have shown me throughout this time. I will strive harder to reciprocate that sentiment," the miss added.

The beauty, full name Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, is 25 years old, from Can Tho, stands 1,86 m tall, and was crowned Miss Intercontinental 2022. In recent years, Bao Ngoc founded Gen Zero, an organization empowering young people to engage with climate issues and sustainable development. She is also preparing to pursue a master's degree in public policy and environment in the US.

After 72 seasons, Miss World was held for the first time in Vietnam, organized by Sen Vang company in collaboration with the Miss World Organization. The event took place across three provinces: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, and Khanh Hoa, from 8/8 to 5/9. The final was held on an outdoor stage, built along the Nha Trang coastline within the 2/4 Square.

First organized in 1951, Miss World is one of the two largest and oldest beauty pageants globally, alongside Miss Universe. The platform celebrates global unity by seeking young women with beauty, education, and meaningful community projects.

Tan Cao

Photos, video: Character's team provided