This design won first prize in the national costume competition at Miss Vietnam 2024, paving the way for her journey onto the international stage.
Design originates from promises and memories.
Huy shared that the biggest inspiration for creating "Nine Dragons Hidden in the Clouds" came from a trip to Hue . The moment he stood beneath the ceiling of Emperor Khai Dinh's tomb and admired the painting "Nine Dragons Hidden in the Clouds" by artist Phan Van Tanh left a deep impression on him. In the painting, the majestic and dynamic beauty of the nine dragons hidden amidst the clouds overwhelmed Huy and sparked his dream of incorporating that image into his own creation.
"Right then, I promised my father that I would one day create an outfit inspired by this very painting," Huy recounted. This simple promise became the motivation for the student to create the design as a way to preserve memories and pay tribute to national culture.
Designers Van Thanh Cong (first on the left) and Huy (second from the right) receive the award for Best National Costume at Miss Vietnam 2024.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
Choosing the dragon as the central image, Huy explains that it is not only a sacred creature but also a symbol of wisdom, imperial power, and court art. In Huy's mind, the image of the dragon in the paintings at Khai Dinh Mausoleum is always vivid, as if moving in the clouds, becoming the focal point that guides the entire design process from form and motifs to material handling.
The process of completing "Nine Dragons Hidden in the Clouds" lasted nearly two years. In the first year, Huy dedicated himself to sketching and perfecting the version for the domestic competition. The following year, he continued to refine the structure, materials, and upgrade details to better meet international standards.
Connecting the beauty of Vietnamese culture with the international beauty pageant stage.
Throughout the process, every detail required meticulous attention. Huy said that no part was truly "easy," because everything required patience to preserve the graceful spirit of the dragon and cloud imagery.
The outfit uses brocade, Thai Tuan silk, and shimmering fabrics to create depth and elegance. Huy combined various handcrafted techniques such as beadwork, pearl embellishment, fringe making, and 3D printing for the headpiece and necklace. Nearly 50 meters of fabric were processed and sewn.
While preparing for Miss International 2025, Huy had to fine-tune the size of some costume details to ensure both elegance and ease of movement on the international stage. The student said he met and spoke directly with Miss Kieu Duy to understand her demeanor, gait, and stage presence, and from there adjusted the weight, shape, and drape to flatter the wearer's figure.
The traditional national costume "Nine Dragons Hidden in the Clouds" was previously showcased at Miss Vietnam 2024.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
According to Huy, in the name "Cuu Long An Van," "An Van" symbolizes the image of a dragon hidden in the clouds, representing the aspiration to reach the heavens, and the harmony between humanity, nature, and the universe.
Huy hopes that international audiences can see the "soul" of Vietnam through these exquisite paintings, feel the harmony between tradition and modernity, and appreciate the cultural depth of court art.
As a student, receiving the responsibility of creating a national cultural costume for a major competition brought Huy both pressure and motivation. Pressure to do it perfectly while representing Vietnamese culture, and motivation to strive to learn and create to the best of his ability.
This design was showcased by Miss Kieu Duy at Miss International 2025.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
When Huy brought this outfit to the international stage, he hoped that viewers would feel the spirit and identity of Vietnam through every detail.
Huy sent a message to Miss Kieu Duy, who is competing in Japan: “Always be confident and shine. Every detail of 'Nine Dragons Hidden in the Clouds' embodies Vietnamese cultural pride. With Duy's grace and confidence, the costume will come alive, telling the complete cultural story that she wants to convey.”
Huy's mentor, designer Van Thanh Cong, said he first met Huy at the Miss Grand Vietnam 2022 competition. He observed that although Huy lacked experience at the time, he compensated with outstanding talent, good aesthetic sense, and clear ambitions. Therefore, Mr. Cong invited Huy to join his team, and continued to encourage and persuade his student to pursue a few more competitions.
Young designer Nguyen Song Huy
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
During the development of "Cuu Long An Van," the teacher and student frequently exchanged ideas to perfect every detail before Mr. Cong decided to choose it as the main costume for the national costume competition at Miss Vietnam 2024. Mr. Cong praised Huy as a good listener, persistent, and highly inquisitive, especially passionate about exploring the beauty of Vietnamese culture, particularly the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress).
Regarding her journey at Miss International, Mr. Cong expressed his expectations: "With Miss Kieu Duy's enthusiasm and her ability to perform flexibly even on a stage with stairs or complex costume details, the Vietnamese representative will create a beautiful image in the eyes of the judges." He believes in the opportunity to compete for the best national costume, spreading the mark of Vietnamese culture strongly on the international stage.
Thanhnien.vn
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nam-sinh-thiet-design-trang-phuc-cuu-long-an-van-du-thi-hoa-hau-quoc-te-2025-18525111709580752.htm
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