Bringing conical hats and traditional Vietnamese dresses to Thailand, Van Pham hopes to promote Vietnamese tourism.

Van Pham wore an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and a conical hat. Photo: Organizing Committee.

Van Pham has officially arrived in the coastal city of Hua Hin to begin her journey competing at Mrs Tourism Queen International 2026. Unlike many representatives who chose elaborate outfits, the Vietnamese beauty brought along an ao dai and conical hat - two familiar symbols associated with the image of Vietnam and its people.

Amidst the bustling international airport, the image of the white ao dai dress and traditional conical hat became a special highlight. Many foreign tourists proactively stopped to chat, take souvenir photos, and learn about Vietnamese clothing and culture.

Photo: Organizers.

The beauty queen is participating in the Mrs Tourism Queen International competition. Photo: Organizers.

According to Van Pham , she wanted to begin her journey with the most familiar values of her homeland. For the beauty queen, the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) not only represents the beauty of Vietnamese women but is also one of the prominent cultural symbols for international tourists. Meanwhile, the conical hat is a symbol closely associated with the life, nature, and simple beauty of many rural areas in Vietnam.

Mrs Tourism Queen International is a competition that emphasizes the role of promoting tourism and cultural exchange between countries. Therefore, in addition to the beauty contests, contestants also participate in many activities to introduce destinations, national identity, and the distinctive cultural values of their country.

At this year's competition, Van Pham stated that she hopes to showcase Vietnam as a destination rich in cultural identity, friendly, and with great tourism potential. The beauty queen hopes that familiar symbols such as the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), conical hat, and the hospitable spirit of the Vietnamese people will help international friends better understand the S-shaped country.

In the context of beauty pageants increasingly emphasizing cultural elements, the choice of wearing a conical hat and ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) from the very beginning of the competition demonstrates a clear direction for the Vietnamese representative. Beyond her beauty and confidence, Van Pham also carries a story about Vietnamese culture, tourism, and the image of a modern Vietnamese woman to the international community.

The Mrs Tourism Queen International 2026 journey lasts 8 days and 7 nights, with many activities promoting tourism, cultural exchange, and official competitions before finding the winner.

Source: https://laodong.vn/du-lich/tin-tuc/mang-non-la-ao-dai-den-thai-lan-van-pham-mong-muon-quang-ba-du-lich-viet-1712432.html