Vietnamese fashion designers are gaining international attention as their creations take the spotlight at Miss Grand International 2026. From dramatic evening gowns adorned with intricate details to designs tailored to each contestant’s personality, Vietnamese-made fashion has become a notable part of this year’s competition in Bangkok, Thailand.
Designers Nguyen Minh Tuan, Thuong Gia Ky and Pham Dang Anh Thu contributed to the pageant wardrobe, dressing contestants from several countries and showcasing the craftsmanship and creative versatility of Vietnam’s fashion industry.
Vietnamese Designers Make Their Mark On The Competition
Nguyen Minh Tuan created evening gowns for contestants representing Brazil, China, Georgia, Peru and the Netherlands. His designs stood out for their elaborate construction, decorative details and distinctive silhouettes.
One of his most eye-catching creations was worn by Miss Grand Netherlands Beau Megan Goos. Featuring dramatic feathered wings inspired by Victoria’s Secret Angels, the gown required careful attention to structure, weight and embellishment. Goos wore another of Tuan’s creations, a sky-blue evening gown, during the grand final, where she finished as second runner-up.
Miss Grand Netherlands Beau Megan Goos appears in a sky-blue evening gown designed by Vietnam’s Nguyen Minh Tuan at the Miss Grand International 2026 final, where she secured the second runner-up title. Photo: Screenshot.
Tuan’s design process begins with understanding each contestant’s personal preferences and the image she hopes to convey on stage. He then develops a concept that balances visual impact with comfort and freedom of movement, ensuring the gown complements the wearer rather than overwhelming her presence.
Another Vietnamese designer, Thuong Gia Ky, dressed contestants including Miss Grand Guatemala Ximena Carrillo and Miss Grand Cuba Alyanni Gomez. Carrillo finished as third runner-up, while Gomez earned a fifth runner-up title.
Miss Grand Guatemala Ximena Carrillo wears an evening gown by Vietnamese designer Thuong Gia Ky during the Miss Grand International 2026 final, where she finished as third runner-up. Photo: Missosology
For Ky, designing a pageant gown involves more than creating an elaborate outfit. Each design is developed around the contestant’s personality, physical features and stage presence. The choice of fabric, color and embellishments also takes stage lighting into account, helping the gowns stand out during performances and televised appearances.
Through these collaborations, the designers have brought Vietnamese fashion craftsmanship to an international audience while demonstrating their ability to work with clients from different cultural backgrounds.
Vietnam’s Representative Also Showcases Homegrown Fashion
Vietnamese fashion was also central to the appearance of the country’s representative, Emoura Pham, who finished fourth runner-up at Miss Grand International 2026.
For the semifinal, Miss Grand Vietnam wore Fire Phoenix, a red, orange and gold evening gown created by Vietnamese designer Pham Dang Anh Thu. The outfit was selected as a last-minute replacement for her original look and became one of the designs representing Vietnam during the competition.
Emoura Pham, representing Vietnam at Miss Grand International 2026, showcases Fire Phoenix, a striking evening gown in red, orange and gold by Vietnamese designer Pham Dang Anh Thu. Photo: FBNV.
For the grand final, she appeared in another creation by the same designer. The gown featured two crowns surrounded by radiant motifs, symbolizing her national title and aspirations on the international stage. According to Tuoi Tre News, the outfit was completed in less than two days and delivered to Thailand shortly before the final.
Miss Emoura Pham’s result placed Vietnam among the competition’s top five finalists, alongside contestants from Tanzania, Ecuador, the Netherlands and Guatemala. Tanzania’s Jihan Dimack ultimately won the Miss Grand International 2026 crown.
The Miss Grand International 2026 crown goes to the contestant from Tanzania.
The presence of Vietnamese-designed gowns throughout the competition highlights the growing opportunities for local designers to work with international pageant contestants. Beyond the spotlight of the runway, these collaborations offer a platform for Vietnamese talent to reach new audiences and build connections within the global fashion industry.
As Vietnamese designers continue to participate in international events, their work is helping introduce the country’s creativity, craftsmanship and contemporary fashion identity to audiences around the world.