The story of a beauty queen's studies.

" POSITIONING" YOURSELF THROUGH EDUCATION

In beauty pageants, the educational background of the winners (Miss, Runner-up, etc.) is always a subject of public interest and often sparks controversy, as not all contestants possess an educational level considered "worthy" of their beauty. Some beauty queens even face scrutiny over their academic records or their entire education from high school to university, leading to debates and putting them under considerable pressure.

From left to right: Miss Luong Thuy Linh, Miss Nong Thuy Hang, and Miss Thuy Tien

Perhaps that's why Vietnamese beauty queens are actively "positioning" themselves through academic pursuits, like Miss Luong Thuy Linh, who was recently accepted into a PhD program in International Economics at the University of Economics (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) at the age of 25 after winning Miss World Vietnam 2019. According to the young beauty queen, although she hasn't completed her master's degree, the program at the University of Economics allows graduates with a distinction or higher in the same major to directly pursue a PhD, while she already graduated with an excellent bachelor's degree. After researching, Luong Thuy Linh chose to apply with her personal dissertation proposal and was accepted with a total entrance exam score of 78.00, ranking third among the applicants.

Speaking about her decision to pursue a PhD, Miss World Vietnam 2019 said: "I realize that cultivating knowledge has always been a lifelong goal for me. This is also the main reason that led me to decide to pursue a PhD after completing my undergraduate degree."

After being crowned Miss Ethnic Vietnam in July 2022, Nong Thuy Hang participated in the Miss International Friendship 2023 pageant and won the title of 2nd Runner-up. Having graduated with honors in International Business from the National Economics University ( Hanoi ), the Tay ethnic beauty decided to pursue a master's degree in November 2024. "This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision or following a trend, but part of a long-term plan I've been nurturing. As a beauty queen, I realize my responsibility is not only to inspire but also to take practical action. A good educational foundation will help me contribute more to the community," Thuy Hang shared.

"As a beauty queen, wanting to upgrade your knowledge to enhance your title, I think whatever the purpose or reason, it ultimately benefits you. It's good for your title, your image, and your knowledge, so it's something you should do," shared Miss Thuy Tien after completing her Master's program in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Swiss Hotel and Restaurant Management University Center (SHMS University Center).

Furthermore, Phuong Anh, the runner-up of Miss Vietnam 2020, recently graduated with a Master's degree in Global Trade and a Bachelor's degree in Business Information Systems from RMIT University. She currently teaches International Business at the Faculty of Business, RMIT Vietnam. Similarly, Le Au Ngan Anh, Miss Ocean 2017 and 4th runner-up at Miss Intercontinental 2018, is now a lecturer at Hoa Sen University after graduating with honors in International Event Management from Salford University (UK) in 2019.

OVERCOMING PRESSURE, SPREADING KNOWLEDGE

To balance her artistic activities and studies, Nong Thuy Hang shared that she had to apply some effective time management methods, such as creating specific plans for each day and week. Each task was prioritized according to its importance and deadline. For example, she usually dedicated mornings to activities that required creativity and energy, such as attending events or practicing, while evenings were prioritized for studying and research. "I had to cut back on some personal hobbies like going to the movies or long trips with friends. Although there was a little regret, I understood that to achieve big goals, giving up some immediate pleasures was absolutely necessary," Thuy Hang shared.

According to Luong Thuy Linh, the biggest challenge is managing her time and travel schedule to ensure it fits in with her work, as her university is in Hanoi. However, the beauty queen also said: "University life will be somewhat 'easier' because most of my classmates and seniors have already started working, so most of the courses are scheduled by the university mainly on weekends and evenings, and there are also online classes, which makes it easier for me to manage everything smoothly."

According to Dr. Pham Thi Thuy, Deputy Head of the Department of Sociology and Economic Management at the National Academy of Public Administration - Ho Chi Minh City branch: "In today's era, beauty must naturally go hand in hand with education. The higher the education level of beauty queens and runners-up, the more opportunities they have to showcase themselves. Their titles represent the beauty of Vietnamese women, so they cannot lack intelligence, talent, cleverness, and proficiency in foreign languages. Pursuing academic degrees and a career in education is also a way to inspire women and spread the image of educated women in the new era."

Miss Luong Thuy Linh further shared that learning is about cultivating and supplementing knowledge, which will be her lifelong asset, not just for maintaining a stable position in the entertainment industry. "No profession can be done well without knowledge; for example, actors need to study acting, singers need to study vocal techniques… Therefore, no matter who you are, what profession you are in or will be in, you should cultivate your knowledge and constantly reinvent yourself to keep up with the market and the world," Thuy Linh said.

Previously, many beauty queens such as Miss Ngoc Chau, First Runner-up Kim Duyen, Miss Ky Duyen, Miss Bui Quynh Hoa… faced mixed opinions from netizens due to controversies related to their education.

After being expelled from Ton Duc Thang University for exceeding the permitted study period, Miss Ngoc Chau said she has just returned to the classroom at the age of 29. She is studying Public Relations at the University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, Bui Quynh Hoa enrolled in Business Administration at the National Economics University. And Miss Ky Duyen shared in a program: "I will continue my undergraduate studies, and after graduation I will continue with postgraduate studies."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chuyen-hoc-cua-hoa-hau-185241207202114484.htm