In early June, Phuong Anh attended her husband, businessman Ho Dac Duc’s, PhD graduation ceremony in Aviation at Imperial College London in the UK. She expressed pride in her partner, viewing him as a role model in both academics and life.
The runner-up is currently pursuing a PhD in management at a domestic university. She received her admission and full scholarship notification in December 2025 after more than a year of application and waiting. She stated that her husband and both families encourage her to pursue knowledge for her career and future direction. Aside from her showbiz activities, Phuong Anh is a lecturer at a university in Ho Chi Minh City.
Phuong Anh shared that her husband instills confidence in her regarding all aspects of life. After two years of marriage, the couple resides in a penthouse near the city center. Their daily life is peaceful, filled with activities such as cooking, flower arranging, playing music, and spending time with pets.
"Our married life is comfortable, coupled with the trust of our families, so my mindset is always positive. Mr. Duc previously completed his PhD studies, which gives him a deeper understanding and makes him more supportive of me," she said. When she feels stressed, Dac Duc often encourages her, saying, "It's okay, try your best, I believe you can do it". Occasionally, her husband drives Phuong to school or takes her for walks to clear her mind. They also assist each other with research and managing study time.
Balancing multiple roles, Phuong Anh has learned to allocate her time effectively for each activity. The runner-up often determines her approach based on the nature of her work. For instance, during peak periods for grading exams or submitting research papers, Phuong Anh postpones other activities to focus. Conversely, when her teaching and study schedules are settled, she accepts invitations to host events, participate in fashion shows, or attend showbiz red carpet events.
Regarding her current PhD program, Phuong Anh stated that most of her week is dedicated to self-study and research. She reads materials, analyzes data, and develops research directions. Additionally, the runner-up regularly has meetings with her advisors, receiving feedback to stay on track. Phuong Anh anticipates graduating in about three more years. "I am trying my best to reach this milestone on time," the runner-up said.
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Phuong Anh and her husband skydiving during their trip to Switzerland in early June. |
Her full name is Pham Ngoc Phuong Anh, 28 years old. She was crowned Miss Ao Dai Student Vietnam 2015 before becoming the first runner-up of Miss Vietnam 2020. In December 2022, she competed in Miss International but did not place.
Phuong Anh was the top entrance scorer for the bilingual program at Le Hong Phong High School for the Gifted in Ho Chi Minh City, won third prize in the national French language competition for gifted students, and was directly admitted to the University of Foreign Trade in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. She can communicate in English, French, Spanish, and Japanese, and achieved an IELTS score of 8.0. She previously graduated as valedictorian in Information Management Systems and holds a Master of Global Trade.
Tan Cao
Photos, video: Contributed by interviewee
