The opening ceremony of the 73rd Miss World competition to be held at at Halong Marina Beach Square in Quang Ninh will mark the first time Vietnam has hosted the world’s leading beauty pageant. The Quang Ninh programme scheduled from August 8 to 12 will provide the province with an opportunity to introduce to a large number of visitors and international audiences the image of a modern and dynamic coastal tourism city and a heritage destination rich in cultural identity.
Quang Ninh – Vietnam's impressive welcome to the world
The year 2026 marks Vietnam’s first time hosting Miss World. It is also the 73rd edition of the competition and coincides with the pageant's 75th anniversary.
According to the schedule announced by the Organising Committee, this year’s edition will run from August 8 to September 5, taking place across three destinations: Quang Ninh, Hai Phong and Nha Trang.
Vietnam’s representative at this year’s competition is Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, first runner-up of Miss World Vietnam 2022 and Miss Intercontinental 2022. Competing on home soil is expected to strengthen Bao Ngoc’s connection with domestic audiences as Vietnam hosts Miss World for the first time.
Quang Ninh’s selection as the venue for the opening ceremony not only affirms the province’s position on the tourism map and in the international events sector, but also opens up opportunities to introduce its outstanding natural, cultural and human values, as well as its investment environment, to international audiences through the worldwide reach of Miss World.
A spectacular opening ceremony at Halong Marina Beach Square
According to the announced schedule, contestants representing countries and territories around the world will begin taking part in Miss World activities at InterContinental Halong Bay Resort on August 8.
On August 9, a Welcome Party will be held to welcome the contestants, international delegations and event partners. On the evening of August 11, the opening ceremony of the 73rd Miss World competition will officially launch the pageant at Halong Marina Beach Square, bringing together contestants from more than 100 countries and territories.
A spectacular stage featuring a large LED screen system, set against breathtaking backdrop of Ha Long Bay, will offer audiences an impressive opening programme combining outstanding artistic performances with state-of-the-art sound and lighting effects. A highlight of the opening night will be a Vietnamese ao dai presentation by all 120 contestants, celebrating Vietnam's traditional culture while promoting Vietnam’s image as a friendly nation with a rich cultural identity to the international community.
Capacity to host world-class international events
All major activities of the Miss World opening programme will be held within the Halong Marina coastal urban area, demonstrating the destination's capacity to simultaneously meet the requirements for reception, logistics and security for the contestants’ delegation, as well as the Organising Committee’s requirements for venues and the operation of a large-scale event.
Developed by BIM Land and managed by IHG Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Halong Bay Resort officially opened in 2025. The resort comprises 275 rooms, suites and villas, together with premium facilities for meetings, dining, wellness and leisure overlooking the bay. Its selection as the accommodation venue and host of welcome activities for the international Miss World contestants reflects its reputation as a luxury international-standard resort capable of meeting the competition's stringent international requirements for accommodation, security and safety.
Following the Quang Ninh programme, Miss World will continue in Hai Phong and Nha Trang. However, the images of Ha Long Bay will remain the first impressions of the Miss World 2026 journey in Vietnam.
By Nguyen Khang
