Trans Miss Universe contestant, Miss Vietnam Nguyen Huong Giang, has explained her moving reason for wearing a traditional Vietnamese outfit during the costume showcase.
On Wednesday, November 19, Giang, who is the only trans contestant in this year’s lineup, chose to wear a white áo dài for the showcase, a national garment considered Vietnam’s national costume.
Costume Showcase Details
She wore the look effortlessly and walked the runway with a bicycle and conical hat bearing the Vietnam flag.
Giang posed elegantly, at one point raising the hat to her head, allowing the simplicity of her outfit and her silky hair to stand out.
Personal Significance of the Outfit
She opened up about her choice to wear the outfit, sharing that it fulfilled a dream she didn’t get to live throughout her school years.
“The dream may come late, but it arrives in the most beautiful way,” she stated, noting that her look was a nod to Vietnamese youth and to the cultural memory of heading to class shared across generations.
Giang is a singer, model, and producer who first gained public attention on Vietnam Idol. She is the country’s first Miss International Queen and advocates for LGBTQ+ equality.
After it was confirmed she would represent her country, Giang expressed that her inclusion is “a door to equality and hope, which is something no other major pageant had chosen to do.”
She emphasized that “Miss Universe has become a stage where, no matter your circumstances, all women are women, lifting each other up and shining together in front of billions.”
Miss Universe 2025 is taking place in Thailand from November 2 to November 21, featuring 123 contestants from around the world.
In a move towards inclusivity, the pageant has removed its upper age limit, which was previously set at 28, and opened its doors to married women, mothers, and trans women, allowing anyone over the age of 18 to compete.
