Miss World 2026 contestants spark debate and cultural exchange in Vietnam

During the opening events for Miss World 2026 in Vietnam, reigning titleholder Opal Suchata has sparked debate regarding her attire. Wearing a dark-blue ‘ao dai’ designed by Do Trinh Hoai Nam, the outfit was inspired by the scenery of Ha Long Bay and featured elements like the Vietnamese lotus. While some observers praised the use of cultural symbols to promote Vietnamese heritage, others criticized the styling, with some commenters suggesting the design and colors made Suchata appear older than her actual age.

In a separate cultural engagement, 111 Miss World contestants participated in the opening ceremony of the first Khanh Hoa Provincial Sports Festival in Nha Trang. The contestants joined the festivities to promote cultural exchange and participated in a charity run to raise funds for breast cancer patients.