Vietnam is set to break new ground in global pageantry as Nguyen Huong Giang, a celebrated singer, actress, and former international titleholder, will represent the country in the 74th Miss Universe competition in Thailand this November. Her participation marks the first time a transgender woman from Asia will compete on the Miss Universe stage.
The Miss Universe Vietnam organization announced the historic appointment late on September 24, calling Huong Giang “a symbol of resilience, artistry, and unyielding confidence.” The statement highlighted her multifaceted career spanning music, television, film, and entrepreneurship, as well as her longstanding advocacy for LGBTQ+ visibility.
This milestone is more than a personal achievement. In 2018, Huong Giang became the first Vietnamese woman to win Miss International Queen, the world’s leading pageant for transgender women. That same year, Vietnam achieved its best-ever Miss Universe finish when H’Hen Nie stormed into the Top 5 in Bangkok. Now, Huong Giang will return to Thailand with hopes of surpassing both records by delivering the country’s first Miss Universe crown.
Her entry also underscores Asia’s slow but steady steps toward inclusivity in global beauty competitions. Although transgender women were allowed to compete in Miss Universe beginning in 2012, only a handful have advanced to the international stage. Spain’s Angela Ponce made history in 2018 as the first openly transgender contestant, while Portugal’s Marina Machete went further in 2023 by reaching the semifinals.
For many, Huong Giang’s candidacy reflects the growing cultural power of Vietnam in the pageant world. It also resonates across Asia, where representation for transgender women has often lagged behind Western counterparts. Advocacy groups see her as both a trailblazer and a role model whose story could inspire wider acceptance and visibility across the region.
The 74th Miss Universe is expected to gather more than 130 delegates worldwide, including the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo, a veteran on the international stage. Reigning queen Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark will crown her successor during the coronation night at Bangkok’s IMPACT Challenger Hall on November 21.
For Vietnam, the appointment is more than a strategic move in pageantry—it is a declaration. By fielding Nguyen Huong Giang, the country is not just sending a beauty queen, but a cultural pioneer who embodies resilience, transformation, and pride for both Vietnam and the Asian LGBTQ+ community.