Designer Do Manh Cuong returns to the "hot seat" of Vietnam's Next Top Model after nearly a decade

The organizers of Vietnam's Next Top Model have just announced the first face in the 2025 season's judging panel, designer Do Manh Cuong. The return of this designer also marks the return of a playground for Vietnamese models after 8 years of absence.

Vietnam's Next Top Model is the first reality TV show about professional modeling in Vietnam (2010). Not only discovering and training potential models, the show has contributed to changing the public's perception of the modeling profession by focusing on professional factors.

From here, many Vietnamese models have continued to have the opportunity to shine on the catwalks and major beauty pageants in the world's leading fashion capitals.

Names like Vietnam's Next Top Model 2010 Champion Huyen Trang, Champion/ Runner-up Hoang Thuy, Champion/ Runner-up Mau Thuy, Champion/ Runner-up Huong Ly, Champion/ Miss Ngoc Chau, Runner-up/ Supermodel Tuyet Lan, Top Model Kha My Van, Top Model Thuy Trang... have helped make Vietnam's name known on the catwalks of Paris, Milan, London, New York fashion weeks...

Returning after nearly a decade is a special milestone for the program, marking the transformation of the Vietnamese fashion industry in the digital integration era. Participating in this special season, designer Do Manh Cuong will take on the role of judge throughout the program.

ntk-do-manh-cuong-gay-an-tuong-manh-voi-nhung-thiet-ke-doc-dao.jpg — A fashion collection by Do Manh Cuong. (Photo: Contributor/Vietnam+)

Considered one of the creators and pioneers of the Vietnamese fashion industry, having graduated from the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne Fashion Academy in France (which has trained world fashion legends), Do Manh Cuong worked at Dior Paris before returning to Vietnam and creating a clear personal mark.

With a minimalist, sophisticated yet profound design style, Do Manh Cuong not only shapes trends but also contributes to elevating Vietnamese fashion on the regional map. He is also the founder and operator of two famous domestic fashion brands with a sustainable business ecosystem, loved by fashionistas and top stars.

“For me, Vietnam's Next Top Model has always been a program with special meaning because this is where I have been with since the beginning. After nearly a decade, returning as a judge is both an emotional and challenging experience. I want to contribute to creating a new generation of models who are not only beautiful but also have the mindset, courage and personality - the most important things to survive and shine in today's fashion industry , ” shared designer Do Manh Cuong.

According to the organizers, the program's open preliminary round will take place in two major cities: Hanoi on May 14 and Ho Chi Minh City on May 19./.