On the evening of September 5, Joheirry Mola of the Dominican Republic was crowned Miss World 2026 after competing against 110 contestants. Before claiming the prestigious blue crown, she spent nearly a month travelling across Vietnam, with Quang Ninh as the first destination of her impressive journey.
Quang Ninh marked the beginning of Joheirry Mola’s Miss World experience in Vietnam. On August 8, after arriving in the locality with the other contestants, she explored the modern tourism setting along Ha Long Bay, enjoyed the Halo Bay Show and took part in a range of cultural and experiential activities.
“I feel incredibly happy and grateful for everything that is happening. The way everyone has treated us has been truly wonderful. Your cuisine is amazing, and the people here are also wonderful,” Joheirry Mola shared.
A special highlight came on August 9 with the programme “Sharing Smiles, Spreading Love” at the Quang Ninh Provincial Social Assistance Centre. Together with the Organising Committee, the contestants presented gifts worth a total of VND 200 million to children receiving care at the centre. The activity brought the Miss World message “Beauty with a Purpose” to life from the very beginning of the competition.
For Joheirry Mola, another unforgettable moment came on the evening of August 12, when she donned the traditional Vietnamese ao dai and appeared on stage at the opening ceremony of Miss World 2026 along the shores of Ha Long Bay.
The contestants returned to Ha Long Bay on August 16 for a sightseeing and experiential trip aboard the Catherine Horizon cruise ship. Surrounded by Ha Long’s limestone islands, blue waters and vast seascape, they captured memorable moments while also becoming special “ambassadors” for the World Heritage Site, helping bring its beauty closer to international audiences.
From Quang Ninh, the Miss World 2026 journey continued to Hai Phong before reaching its finale in Khanh Hoa on September 5. It was there that Joheirry Mola was crowned the new Miss World 2026.
The 73rd edition of Miss World, held in Vietnam for the first time, began in Quang Ninh. For Quang Ninh, the presence of the contestants — and particularly the new Miss World — created lasting memories while helping showcase the image of a heritage destination rich in cultural identity, known for its welcoming atmosphere and distinctive experiences, to international audiences.
By Dao Linh
