Vietnamese culture will be the focus of the Miss World 2026 pageant.

Competing teams were presented with Ao Dai designs that incorporated different cultural symbols. The American and Caribbean collection featured conical hats decorated with red and purple patterns; The European group used carved wooden fans; The African collection combines Ao Dai and Bao Truc tableware. In Asia and Oceania shows, Ao Dai is decorated with paper flowers and lotus buds.

The choice of costumes and props creates a distinctive visual effect, incorporating familiar Vietnamese symbols into a space of universal appeal. The display of traditional Vietnamese clothing (Ao Dai), conical hat, Bao Truc pottery, wooden fans, paper flowers and lotus buds not only brings images but also evokes stories of fashion, craft and cultural identity.

In addition to the display of traditional Vietnamese costume (Ao Dai), the artistic program “Dances of the World – Hello Vietnam, Hello World” helped create a space for cultural exchange in Khanh Hoa. The inclusion of cultural activities in the competition helped highlight the image of Vietnam throughout the contestants’ journey.

Making a positive impact on tourism in Khanh Hoa.

The 73rd Miss World pageant was held in Khanh Hoa from August 20 and included competition rounds, interactive activities and artistic performances. The grand closing ceremony and show “Dances of the World – Hello Vietnam, Hello World” was one of the most outstanding events that attracted a large audience.

Organizers distributed more than 6,000 free parking tickets in the fan zone, allowing locals and tourists to watch the event live and create an energetic atmosphere in the area.

Notably, from September 4 to 5, Khanh Hoa received about 95,000 visitors who stayed at least one night, including about 38,000 international tourists. This large number of visitors during this important period shows how attractive the event is for local tourism.

Ms Tai Thi Lee Hang, director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the Miss World 2026 pageant had a clear impact on the number of tourists visiting Khanh Hoa, especially on the days of the main event. The increase in the number of nights contributed to the increase in room occupancy rates and tourism revenues, which led to the recovery of the relevant service sectors.

Vietnamese actress Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc is performing in the finals of Miss World 2026. (Source: FBNV)

In addition to the direct impact, the presence of competitors from many countries and regions provides an opportunity to promote Khanh Hoa internationally. The image of the seaside town, the competition activities and the experience of the contestants are conveyed through various channels, which helps to raise the status of the tourist destination.

The Miss World 2026 pageant ended in Khanh Hoa, where the representative of the Dominican Republic won the first title, Spain won the first runner-up title, and Malaysia won the second runner-up title. As for the Vietnamese actress, Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, she made it to the list of the best contestants.

In addition to the results of the competition, the event left its mark on the space of cultural exchange between the 111 contestants. In particular, the show, which featured traditional Vietnamese “Ao Dai” costumes along with cultural symbols and traditional handicrafts, showed the appeal of Vietnamese culture when presented on the international stage.