Following her crowning on 31/8, Tran Vinh Thi's personal life has drawn considerable public attention. Several media outlets have published photos of her embracing a man in a bar and kissing another in a swimming pool.
Addressing the speculation on HK01, Thi confirmed the man in the photos is her boyfriend, Martin. They have been dating for almost three years.
While some have deemed the photos "too revealing," Thi explained they were taken in the US when she and Martin were studying there. "Such photos are normal in American culture, but Hong Kong's culture is a bit different," she said.
Thi revealed she never intended to hide her relationship. She is confident in their bond and unconcerned by the Hong Kong entertainment industry's so-called "curse" that newly crowned beauty queens break up with their boyfriends.
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Tran Vinh Thi at Miss Hong Kong and an older photo of her with her boyfriend. Photo: On |
Some now argue Thi is undeserving of the title, criticizing her looks and height. Thi has seen these comments but doesn't disagree, acknowledging that "everyone has their own standards for a Miss Hong Kong."
This year's Miss Hong Kong competition has been described by Chinese media as a contest of highly educated women. The 27-year-old Thi, standing at 1.6 m tall, is currently pursuing a doctorate in education at the University of London (UK). She previously graduated from the University of California (US) and earned a master's degree in technology management from Columbia University.
A dedicated athlete, Thi has been a member of the Hong Kong Rhythmic Gymnastics team since she was 13. She shared that to achieve her dream of joining the team, she endured grueling 20-hour training days to compensate for her lack of height.
Entering the pageant, Thi was aware of her height disadvantage but believed confidence plays a vital role. "Believing in yourself is essential," she said. "It's not necessarily about your face or height, but maybe your knowledge, warmth, or radiance that matters when you step out into the world."
All 14 finalists held university degrees or higher. The first runner-up, Thi Vu Ky, graduated from the University of Cambridge (UK). Contestant Ha Vinh Da, currently a medical student at the University of Warwick (UK), took the opportunity to compete while back in Hong Kong for summer break.
Nhu Anh (according to HK01)
