Ahead of the opening ceremony of the 73rd Miss World, scheduled for the evening of August 12 at Halong Marina Square in Bai Chay Ward, 118 Miss World contestants are making final preparations for their performance in Vietnamese áo dài. The presentation is expected to be one of the highlights of the opening ceremony, themed “Welcome Miss World to Quang Ninh – Vietnam.”
In designer Do Trinh Hoai Nam’s “The World as I See It” áo dài collection, contestants from countries and territories around the world will come together on a stage overlooking the heritage landscape of Ha Long Bay. Each áo dài features a national flag, cultural symbols, heritage elements and distinctive motifs representing the contestant’s homeland, creating a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity. Through the collection, the áo dài is showcased not only as an iconic symbol of Vietnamese culture, but also as a cultural bridge connecting Vietnam with people from around the world.
For the contestants, wearing an áo dài featuring elements representing their homeland is also a special meaningful experience. Miss Baltbayeva Bagym of Kazakhstan expressed her surprise and delight at seeing the Kazakh national flag vividly recreated on a Vietnamese áo dài:
“I was truly surprised to see my country’s national flag so vividly represented on a Vietnamese áo dài. I am not the only one – many international contestants are also excited and delighted to wear this traditional Vietnamese outfit. The áo dài embodies the beauty of Vietnam while featuring the colours of my country’s flag and images of my homeland, making me feel more connected and confident throughout my Miss World 2026 journey.” - Miss Baltbayeva Bagym said.
Miss Belén Cáceres of Nicaragua shared: “On my very first day in Quang Ninh, I chose to wear the Vietnamese áo dài as a way of expressing my affection for and appreciation of the culture of the host country. Now, having the opportunity to wear an áo dài featuring my national flag and images of my homeland at the Miss World 2026 opening ceremony makes me even happier, as it gives me another opportunity to introduce my country to international friends.”
Amid the heritage landscape of Ha Long Bay, an iconic destination of Vietnamese tourism, the áo dài further highlights the harmonious blend of traditional cultural beauty and the majestic natural landscapes of Quang Ninh and Vietnam. Each áo dài represents a different country, bringing diverse cultures together on a single stage while telling stories about Vietnam, its people and its rich cultural identity through one of the country’s most recognisable symbols. The graceful, flowing áo dài, together with the presence of 118 international contestants, will add a distinctive cultural touch to the Miss World 2026 opening ceremony, bringing Vietnam’s áo dài and the beauty of Quang Ninh closer to audiences around the world.
By Duy Khoa
