Vietnam will make history at Miss Universe 2025 after naming Nguyen Huong Giang as its official representative. She will compete in Thailand this November, becoming the first transgender woman from Asia to take part in the global pageant.
The announcement was confirmed by Miss Universe Vietnam through social media, highlighting her as a figure of resilience and talent.
Huong Giang is already a known name in entertainment. She won Miss International Queen in 2018, the largest international pageant for transgender women, and has worked as a singer, actress, model, and producer.
She also gained attention in 2012 as the first transgender contestant on Vietnam Idol, later building a career in music and television. Most recently, she served as producer for Miss Universe Vietnam 2024, further cementing her involvement in pageantry.
At 33, Huong Giang follows a career marked by milestones and public advocacy. In a statement after her selection, she described her participation as “a door to equality and hope” and emphasized that Miss Universe has become a platform where all women can participate.
Her journey, she added, is not only about gender but also about determination and faith.
She will also be Vietnam’s first candidate to enter Miss Universe as a transgender woman, and the first from Asia. Trans women have been allowed to join the competition since 2012, and past participants include Angela Ponce of Spain, Rikkie Kollé of the Netherlands, and Marina Machete of Portugal.
Huong Giang acknowledged that her selection represents an opportunity to continue pushing representation forward as the Miss Universe pageant evolves.
