Miss World 2026 – Opening in Quảng Ninh

   For the first time in its history one of the world's oldest beauty pageants comes to Vietnam — and its first stop is Quảng Ninh province. Around 130 contestants from 130 countries and territories gather here: the season's route starts from this bay, and for the province itself it is a step onto a large international stage.

   In brief:

• the 73rd Miss World pageant and the first one hosted by Vietnam;
• the opening ceremony theme is «Welcome Miss World to Quảng Ninh - Việt Nam»;
• the programme includes scholarship awards, environmental actions and community meetings;
• the contestants' route covers Hạ Long Bay, the Quảng Ninh Museum and the Yên Tử complex;
• the opening block is run by the Quảng Ninh Provincial People's Committee.

   The opening is designed as a showcase of the region: shoots against the karst islands, a tour of the museum collections and the climb to the Buddhist centre of Yên Tử add up to a single story about Quảng Ninh that will reach audiences in dozens of countries. A separate strand is the promotion of Hạ Long Bay along with environmental initiatives — the pageant has long built social projects into its structure, and the Vietnamese leg follows the same logic.

   Vietnam is represented by Lê Nguyễn Bảo Ngọc, 24, who won the Miss Intercontinental title in 2022. For the home audience it is a rare case of a national contestant reaching a world pageant quite literally at home.

   Quảng Ninh is only the first stage: the route then moves on to neighbouring Hải Phòng, while the rounds stretch across August and September. These August days in the province are best seen as a large public start of the season rather than a one-off ceremony.

   The event will appeal to pageant followers and travellers alike: Hạ Long is busier than usual in these days, and part of the programme takes place at open urban and natural sites. How the public may attend individual events is announced by the organisers closer to the dates — follow the official updates.

   If you happen to be in Hạ Long during these days, you will not be bored: the city hosts a pageant of this scale for the first time.

   The “Welcome Miss World” ceremony takes place at 20:00 on 11 August at the Ha Long Marina seaside square (Bãi Cháy ward), expected to gather around 10,000 spectators.