Vietnam’s representative achieves new milestone at Miss World 2026

The Beauty With a Purpose Gala Dinner, a part of the Miss World 2026 final round, took place at voco Scenia Bay Nha Trang Hotel on the night of August 31. The event was attended by Julia Morley, Chairwoman and CEO of the Miss World Organization; reigning Miss World Opal Suchata Chuangsri; Miss World 2021 Karolina Bielawska; and leaders of Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. At the event, Vietnam’s representative Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc was named among Top 24 of the Beauty With a Purpose. 

Vietnam’s representative advances to Top 24 of the Beauty With a Purpose

At the opening of the event, the Miss World 2026 organizing committee presented 111 sets of books brought by the contestants as commemorative gifts to Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressing appreciation for the province’s support throughout the pageant.

Julia Morley presents books to leader of Khanh Hoa Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The highlight of the gala was the announcement of the Top 24 Beauty With a Purpose of four continental regions: Asia-Oceania, the Americas & Caribbean, Africa, and Europe. With six representatives selected per region, each contestant had two minutes to present her community project. Vietnam's representative Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc secured one of the six spots for Asia-Oceania.

Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc and other Asia-Oceania contestants named to Beauty With a Purpose Top 24

At the program, Vietnam representative Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc presented the Gen Zero project, empowering youth to take action against climate change. Rather than limiting efforts to tree planting, plastic reduction, or community awareness, the project aims to help young people understand policy, participate in dialogue, and connect with domestic and international organizations. Gen Zero also aims to turn youth concern into systematic action, contributing to support Vietnam's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. Bao Ngoc emphasized that young people shouldn’t only be viewed as those affected by climate change but as participants in developing solutions. 

The program also featured other prominent projects, including contestant Ireen Navicha (Malawi) with “When a Mother Is a Child”, supporting female students affected by early pregnancy or child marriage in resuming their education; contestant Mistica Nunez Rujano (Venezuela) with “Seeds of Life”, preventing and combating child malnutrition in Falcon State; and contestant Josephine Bottger (Denmark) introducing a series of activities supporting pregnant women, underprivileged families, and children with congenital heart disease, an illness she was diagnosed with at birth.

According to the regulations, the 4 continental winners of Beauty With a Purpose will advance to the Top 40. The top two projects will enter the top 20 and top 12, and the overall winner secures a place in the Top 6. 

Tanzanian contestant's item auctioned for USD10,000 

Following the project presentations, the gala proceeded with a charity auction. Contestants presented their items brought from their home countries, sharing the stories behind each item and encouraging attendees to bid. All proceeds raised will support charitable activities in Vietnam.

Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc presents an evening gown by designer Nguyen Minh Tuan at the charity auction

Vietnam's representative Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc introduced a mermaid evening gown created by designer Nguyen Minh Tuan. Embellished with thousands of hand-sewn crystal beads and featuring wing-inspired shoulders, the design symbolizes confidence, good luck and the wearer’s brilliance. The gown was auctioned for USD1,500.

Tanzania's representative Latricia Ian Sawe presented a necklace featuring a 0.5-carat oval-cut Tanzanite stone. Tanzanite is a rare gemstone found near the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania, renowned for its blue-violet color. The piece of jewelry was paired with a painting depicting Tanzania’s nature, featuring giraffes.

Tanzanian contestant's item was purchased by Miss World Vietnam President Pham Kim Dung for USD10,000. Pham Kim Dung also introduced Tanzania to international guests as the host nation for Miss World 2027, succeeding Vietnam.

Miss World Vietnam President Pham Kim Dung wins the auction bid for Tanzanian contestant's gemstone necklace

In addition to the two aforementioned items, the auction session also featured many other unique items from around the world. Venezuela's representative Mistica Nunez Rujano presented the Purpose Celebration Necklace crafted by jeweler Yoel Accesorios. Denmark's representative Josephine Bottger auctioned a pair of ballet shoes symbolizing her lifelong passion for dance. The item features the image of the Danish national flag, bearing her signature alongside those of main dancers from the Royal Danish Ballet.

Besides auction bids, the event also featured Miss World 2026 contestants’ artistic talents in music and dance. Miss Guadeloupe performed "La Vie en Rose," Miss Philippines delivered a dance, Miss Paraguay played the violin, Miss Nigeria sang "Opportunity," and Miss England performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Reigning Mr. World Danny Mejia concluded the performance segment with a performance of "Beggin".

Beauty With a Purpose not only offers opportunities for contestants to advance to the competition before the Miss World 2026 final night (September 5) but also serves as a platform connecting social projects, cultural preservation, and fundraising from representatives of over 100 countries and territories.

Qualifying for the Beauty With a Purpose Top 24 marks another major milestone in Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc's journey at Miss World 2026. Earlier, Vietnam's representative won the Top Model award for Asia-Oceania, thereby securing a spot in the Top 40. Bao Ngoc also placed in the Top 20 of the Head-to-Head Challenge and advanced to the Top 23 in the Talent competition with a performance integrating singing, rapping, and playing the lithophone. Additionally, she and her team members won the Head Chef Beauty challenge.

XUAN THANH
Translated by H.N