Vanessa Ponce de Leon arrived in Vietnam for activities related to Miss World 2026, held here for the first time in early September. She chose to travel and experience local life rather than staying at resorts. Her vlogs, documenting local life and her enjoyment of regional dishes, garnered significant attention from fans.

In her videos and posts, Vanessa shared that she had wanted to visit Vietnam for many years and was finally able to do so. Recently, after watching programs by renowned American chef and documentary filmmaker Anthony Bourdain, she felt even more compelled to embark on the journey. She admires his quote: "Be a traveler, not just a tourist." Vietnam was one of the countries Bourdain returned to multiple times.

After 27 hours of travel from Mexico, Vanessa arrived in Hanoi on a late August afternoon. She immediately embarked on her planned itinerary without resting. On her first day, Vanessa walked for over 30 minutes in approximately 36 degrees Celsius heat and 77% humidity. She believed physical activity helped combat jet lag after a long flight. The bustling pace of life and the honking of various vehicles initially made her cautious, especially when crossing streets. Although Hanoi is considered a safe destination for solo female travelers, she noted her body reacted instinctively in an unfamiliar city.

While strolling along Hai Ba Trung street, Vanessa noticed the architecture of the narrow, tall facades extending deep inside the houses. The long, dark passages, resembling small alleys, initially made her hesitant until she realized they led to residential areas.

In the following days, Vanessa observed the flow of people, ate bun cha, drank tea, and explored fashion. She also enjoyed coffee, purchased silk, and offered prayers at a pagoda. She mentioned often deviating from her planned schedule, drawn to unexpected discoveries along the way. "I was captivated by the beauty of Hanoi," she wrote on her Instagram account, which has nearly 300,000 followers.

Leaving Hanoi, Vanessa traveled to Sa Pa (Lao Cai) with light luggage. There, she stayed at a homestay in Ta Van village, nestled in Muong Hoa valley, about 12 km from the town center. She expressed her fondness for the serene mountains and the slow pace of life of the Northwestern people. The beauty queen cherished moments each morning opening her window, breathing fresh air, visiting local markets, and wearing traditional brocade attire.

For Vanessa, the significance of traveling extends beyond a new stamp in a passport. She believes each journey helps people become less judgmental of different lifestyles, fostering greater observation and connection. The beauty queen encourages everyone to live spontaneously, embracing taking a wrong turn, missing a train, or getting caught in the rain during their travels. According to her, worn shoes, messy hair, smudged makeup, scars, and wrinkles from laughter are all marks of a person who has lived fully. "These things prove you are present and living a meaningful life," she stated in her vlog.

Miss World 2018 in Sa Pa.

Eight years after being crowned, Vanessa Ponce de Leon continues to impress fans with her youthful appearance at age 34. At Miss World 2026, she reunited with six other Miss World titleholders from various eras.

Vanessa Ponce de Leon is the first Mexican beauty queen to win in the history of Miss World. She stands 1.73 meters tall and won Mexico's Next Top Model 2014. Over the years, Vanessa has gained recognition in her home country in various roles as a model, speaker, social activist, and content creator.

Tan Cao

Photos, video: Instagram Vanessa Ponce de Leon