The former beauty queen returned to Vietnam for Tet with her family and was invited by Ms. Minh Tam (right), principal of Le Quy Don School, Ho Chi Minh City, to attend the Vietnamese Spring Festival of Colors 2026 on 7/2.

Returning to her old school, Ly Thu Thao expressed emotion upon seeing the innocent, lovely students, recalling her own school days.

The beauty queen received a signed 150-year anniversary yearbook and a lucky coin, limited to 500 pieces, from the principal.

The beauty, along with close photographer Minh Hoa (right) and teachers and students, attended the program's opening ceremony.

Miss Ly Thu Thao performing in Duyen Dang Viet Nam programs. Video: YouTube Hung Tran

While wearing an ao dai, the beauty queen took a photo from an angle identical to one taken 35 years ago. She said, "The moment I recreated the photo, I was filled with a nostalgic feeling for my youth".

According to photographer Minh Hoa, he took the photo of Ly Thu Thao in a white ao dai holding an orchid branch in 1991 (left) at Con Nai Vang tourist area, Ho Chi Minh City. "I was surprised that Ly Thu Thao still posed so skillfully in front of the camera, especially with her finger gestures", the photographer said.

The photographer expressed emotion while photographing the former beauty queen in a white ao dai. Ly Thu Thao's beauty was sought after by the photography and film industries in the 1990s.

Ly Thu Thao stated that at 56 years old, she leads a healthy life and participates in age-appropriate sports. She maintains her health and physique through aerobics and cycling.

After winning the beauty pageant, she acted in films such as Sau nhung giac mo hong, Co tich 17, and Ngoc trong da. She married, had children, and withdrew completely from showbiz to settle in the US in 2000. She has kept her family and private life abroad private.

Hoang Dung

Photos: Minh Hoa - Minh Phuong