Lê Phương Nghi, a second-year International Economics student at the Foreign Trade University's Ho Chi Minh City campus, views the competition as an opportunity to strengthen her resilience, challenge herself and promote positive values.
She said she has carefully balanced academic responsibilities with intensive preparation, including developing her communication skills, stage presence and personal image.
Before joining Miss Vietnam 2026, Phương Nghi won the Miss FTUCharm 2025 title and received the Miss Photogenic award. She has also earned an excellent academic scholarship and serves as class president, communications ambassador for the university's Training Management Board and media ambassador for AIESEC's Global Volunteer programme.
A former English-major student at Hùng Vương High School for the Gifted, Phương Nghi achieved an IELTS score of 7.5 and built an outstanding academic record, including national and provincial Geography awards as well as a gold medal at the April 30 Olympic competition. Alongside her studies, she participated in educational, charitable and community initiatives.
Phương Nghi said she entered the pageant to learn from outstanding young people across Vietnam while encouraging the values of education, kindness and social contribution among younger generations. She believes every individual has a unique path to success and that continuous self-improvement allows each person to realise their potential.
Although carrying the Miss FTUCharm 2025 title brings greater public expectations, Phương Nghi said she considers the added attention a source of motivation to keep learning and improving throughout the competition.
She also hopes to introduce audiences to Gia Lai through stories highlighting the province's natural landscapes, cultural richness and the spirit of its people. Among the places she plans to showcase are Biển Hồ Lake, Chư Đăng Ya volcano, Kỳ Co and Eo Gió, together with the hospitality and unity of local communities.
Joining her in the national semi-finals is Trịnh Ngọc Huyền, a former student of A Sanh High School and now a Business Administration student at the University of Finance and Marketing.
Born in 2007 and standing 1.72 metres tall, Ngọc Huyền previously won the Miss UFM title. She has also participated in several volunteer initiatives, serving as an ambassador for the "Spring of Compassion" and "Green Summer" campaigns while founding the charity project "People for People."
Ngọc Huyền said the pageant provides an opportunity to expand her knowledge, develop new skills and challenge her personal limits. She believes reaching the semi-finals represents the beginning of a new stage rather than the end of her journey.
She described Miss Vietnam as more than a beauty competition, saying it also recognises young women who demonstrate ambition, knowledge, compassion and responsibility toward society. Her goal, she said, is to bring sincerity, a progressive mindset and the story of a young person willing to step outside her comfort zone.
Ngọc Huyền also hopes to use the competition's theme, "Land of Fragrance and Beauty," to introduce Gia Lai's identity to a wider audience. She said she wants to highlight the province's coffee plantations, tea hills, traditional gong culture and coastal scenery while emphasising the importance of preserving and sharing its cultural heritage.
She believes genuine beauty comes from character and that anyone who is willing to take the first step can create a meaningful journey while inspiring positive change within the community.