If you ask Nguyen Thanh Thao, 19 years old and a first-year student at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, about her youthful dream, she wouldn’t mention glamorous dresses or sparkling crowns. Before entering Miss Vietnam 2024 and making it into the Top 25 finalists, Thanh Thao only knew a life centered around studying, engaging in the arts, and quietly participating in charitable projects—a simple rhythm of life, yet one filled with meaning.
As a top student for many years, holding an IELTS score of 7.5 and fluent in French since the age of six, Thanh Thao was once granted direct admission to several leading universities such as Foreign Trade University and University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City. However, she chose the Diplomatic Academy to pursue her dream of gaining a deeper understanding of society, culture, and politics—things she believes are the “key” to opening the door to global connection. Thao is not only academically gifted, but also has a special passion for music. Her piano talent earned her the Gold Cup at the Asia-Pacific Arts Festival in 2019. For her, art is a “second language” that helps people become more emotionally rich, refined, and empathetic listeners.
In Thao, people see a typical Gen Z girl: dynamic, ambitious, and not only focused on academic achievements but also devoted to nurturing spiritual values and enriching the soul. Her piano performances and the charity projects she participated in since high school gradually shaped in her a bigger aspiration—to contribute and spread kindness throughout society.
At first, Thanh Thao never thought she would enter a beauty pageant. To her, Miss Vietnam was once just a distant, glamorous image on newspapers and television. But then she realized: if she wanted to spread positivity and help more people, she first had to become someone with a voice—someone society listens to. “I used to think that being a good student and working hard was enough. But then I understood that sometimes you need a certain position, a certain title, to reach more people, to inspire more, and to make a greater impact,” Thao shared. To her, Miss Vietnam is not just a pageant about beauty, but a platform for growth, learning, and courage. The competition became a turning point—a place where she overcame her own fears, dared to break through, and challenged herself in a completely new field.
Joining Miss Vietnam 2024, the youngest girl in the Top 25 carried the nervousness and excitement of a first-time stepping into the spotlight. The skills training sessions, companion projects, intense practice hours, and moments in front of the camera—all were “firsts” for Thao. Yet, it was through this journey that she discovered a new version of herself: more confident, more determined, and more eager to conquer. “Knowledge is a priceless asset for personal development and meaningful contributions to society,” Thao shared during a skills presentation at the competition, impressing many with how she connected academic knowledge to practical values. Each passing day and every activity in the contest became a class in growth that Thao had never experienced before—a journey illuminated not only by stage lights but also by lessons deeply rooted in her heart.
Currently, besides preparing for the national final night in Hue this coming June, Thanh Thao is also carrying out the community project “Light for the Highlands, supporting school steps for children in mountainous areas”. She actively participates in environmental activities and joins other Miss Vietnam contestants in the “Green Saigon” project to spread the spirit of green living and protect the planet.
For Thao, the beauty queen title is not the destination but merely a foundation to start a long journey: building community projects, connecting many hearts with shared ideals, and spreading the spirit of living beautifully and responsibly. She clearly understands that to bring about positive change, sometimes one must become a symbol—not to be admired, but to serve as a bridge, inspire, and motivate those around to take action.
The contest is just an open door; Thao’s real journey begins from the dream she cherishes: transforming knowledge, art, and compassion into a powerful force to spread and change the community.
