Runner-up Thu Ngan first introduced the national costume she would wear to the international competition at the sash ceremony on 11/1 in TP HCM. The piece, created by Pham Ngoc Thu Trang with consultation and support from designer Viet Hung, won second prize in a selection contest in 2025.

Thu Ngan's national costume performance at the event. Video: Provided by the contestant's team

Compared to its initial version, Thu Ngan's dress was streamlined, reducing its weight from 20 kg to 10 kg for easier packing and transport, while ensuring safety and suitability for the stage. Thu Trang stated that she revised the wings attached to the back, the cape, and the headpiece, allowing Thu Ngan to perform comfortably.

Thu Ngan's costume features additional rice stalk imagery, conveying a message of abundant harvests and a prosperous life.

The designer drew inspiration from the beauty of the life and culture of the Chau Ro people living in TP HCM (formerly Ba Ria - Vung Tau) to create the costume. They have traditions of swidden farming (slash-and-burn agriculture), eating plain rice, wearing loincloths (men), skirts (women), and notable customs like the Rice God worship ceremony.

The dress features three main colors: black symbolizing earth, red representing fire, and white signifying light. The team used recycled fiber materials, hand-knitted and crocheted over several months. The piece conveys a joyful and happy spirit about life.

Thu Ngan had four months to prepare for the competition, including refining her catwalk skills, public speaking, English, and learning hair and makeup with experts. She stated, "I am mentally ready and determined to conquer the highest title."

Thu Ngan introduced the evening gown "Desert Flame - The undying flame in the desert," created by designer Thuong Gia Ky, which she will wear at the final night.

Runner-ups Thuy An, Ngoc Hang, and Bui Khanh Linh – former contestants of the pageant – congratulated Thu Ngan, wishing her confidence to achieve high results. Miss Intercontinental 2022 Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc advised her colleague to be authentic and give her best in all activities, which is key to impressing the judges.

Thu Ngan will depart for Egypt on 12/1 to join the competition according to the organizer's schedule. The 53rd edition of the competition will feature various activities, including fashion shows and swimsuit segments. Reigning queen Maria Cepero, 27, from Puerto Rico, will crown her successor at the final on 29/1.

The beauty, full name Nguyen Thi Thu Ngan, is 23 years old, stands 1,72 m tall, and hails from Ca Mau. She graduated with honors in Public Relations from Nam Can Tho University. Thu Ngan previously won Miss Nam Can Tho University 2022, second runner-up at Tay Do Beauty 2023, and placed in the top 30 at Miss National Vietnam 2024. In mid-2025, she was crowned first runner-up at Miss Grand Vietnam, placing behind Miss Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi.

Miss Intercontinental, first held in 1971, aims to honor the beauty, talent, and intelligence of women. In the past three years, Vietnamese contestants have achieved good results in the competition, with Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc winning in 2022, and Le Nguyen Ngoc Hang and Bui Khanh Linh securing second and third runner-up titles in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

By Tan Cao

Photos: Viet Quy