Yen Nhi's family traveled from Dak Lak to Ho Chi Minh City to support her at the competition's finale on 14/9. Witnessing her crowning moment, her parents wept with joy. Her mother, Ho Thi Hiep, 45, said, "We are proud and happy to see our daughter grow into the person she is today,".

Yen Nhi shared that she grew up in a working-class family in the countryside. She is the only daughter, with an older brother and a younger sibling. According to the beauty queen, her childhood was challenging but filled with the love and care of her parents. "I am always grateful for and admire their sacrifices in raising us," she said.

She remembers the days her mother sold lottery tickets from dawn till dusk, braving rain or shine to ensure her children had meals and a place to sleep. Her father, Nguyen Van Hien, 48, worked in construction, sometimes locally, other times traveling to different districts or provinces to earn enough for living expenses and their children's school fees.

Both of Yen Nhi's parents have faced health issues. Hiep shared that she had to have her left ovary removed due to complications from birth control. When the family took her to the doctor, surgery was recommended, costing tens of millions of dong (Vietnamese currency). Yen Nhi's family was worried, but they managed to cover the medical expenses, and her mother's surgery was successful.

Her father also suffers from chronic skin allergies, requiring monthly injections. In addition, doctors warned him about a high risk of osteoporosis and other underlying conditions. "Worried about the financial burden on his wife and children, my father hasn't sought further examination and treatment, which is my biggest concern right now," she said.

Yen Nhi poses for a photo with her parents. Photo: Provided by the subject

In her parents' eyes, Yen Nhi is resilient and adapted to independent living early on. She is a student majoring in tourism and travel services management at Van Hien University in Ho Chi Minh City. Before the pageant, she lived in a rented room for 2.5 million dong per month. Yen Nhi covered her living expenses by working part-time jobs, such as waitressing at weddings and modeling. After reaching the top 15 in Miss Grand Vietnam 2024, she started a professional modeling career with regular shows, improving her income and allowing her to support herself and her parents when needed.

The beauty queen shared that her family's circumstances motivated her to strive for improvement. Initially, her parents wanted her to study in the province, closer to home and with lower living costs. However, Yen Nhi chose to go to the big city to seek opportunities. In August 2022, before starting school, she took a bus to Ho Chi Minh City to explore the environment and look for part-time work. Living away from home, Yen Nhi learned to cook and manage her household chores, thanks to her mother teaching her how to cook since she was four.

After winning the crown, Yen Nhi wants to dedicate a portion of the prize money to charity. The rest will be used to cover her parents' medical expenses. "Whether I'm a beauty queen or not, I remain committed to continuous self-improvement," she said.

Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 Doan Thien An, a judge in the competition, said she was impressed by Yen Nhi during the closed interview round, particularly by her story of perseverance. "I saw myself in her story, having experienced similar hardships during my independent years," Thien An said.

The newly crowned Miss Grand Vietnam, Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi, stands at 1.72 m tall with measurements of 81-64-92 cm. Throughout the two-month competition, she maintained her composure through various preliminary rounds and captured the attention of audiences on beauty forums. She now has two weeks to prepare for Miss Grand International 2025 in Thailand.

Tan Cao