Miss World Vietnam 2022 runner-up denies overshadowing winner

Ngoc, 22, stirred controversy after Miss World Vietnam contest organizer revealed Thursday the three gowns that will be donned by Miss World Vietnam 2022 winner and two runners-up during the contest final night on Saturday.
Many have accused Ngoc of receiving special treatment, including having a dress that is more outstanding compared to that of Phuong, 24, despite her being the runner-up while Phuong is the winner of last year’s contest.

The controversy heated up as many said this is not the first time Ngoc’s outfit has appeared more eye-catching than Phuong’s.

Public opinions varied as some suggested that Ngoc should appear in a more humble manner, while others believed she did not do anything wrong.

Responding to the controversy, Ngoc posted on her social media Friday that every outfit of hers received approvals from the contest organizer.

“Each of us will shine in our own way,” she said. “The final walk session has been prepared and is set to give the pageant winner [Phuong] the most spotlight.” She also apologized to the public for making them concerned with the issue.

(From L) Sketches of the dresses that will be worn by Miss World Vietnam 2022 1st runner-up Bao Ngoc, Miss World Vietnam 2022 Mai Phuong, and Miss World Vietnam 2022 2nd runner-up Phuong Nhi, respectively. Photo from World Beauty Queen Press Instagram

Pham Kim Dung, Miss World Vietnam president, also denied accusations of giving Ngoc special treatment during a livestream earlier this week. She assured fans that Phuong’s dress was carefully made by Vietnamese famous fashion designer Le Thanh Hoa and guaranteed that the dress looks classy and glamorous in real life.

“All of the spotlight will be given to Phuong only,” she said, adding that each dress has its own advantages and the three beauty queens will appear separately in different sections of the final night, and thus, not overshadow one another.

Phuong also spoke up in defense of Ngoc. She explained that Ngoc is a straightforward, decisive, but kindhearted woman, and she felt bad for Ngoc seeing her become the victim of an hearsay.

“We get on well with each other,” she said. “I hope the public will be more tolerant and understand that our relationship, both in front of and behind the cameras, is good.”

Ngoc made it to the top 22 of the 2020 Miss Vietnam contest before winning the 2022 Miss World Vietnam title and being crowned Miss Intercontinental 2022. She is the first Vietnamese to win this title.

Phuong made it to the top 5 of the 2020 Miss Vietnam contest before being crowned Miss World Vietnam 2022. She will represent Vietnam in the 2023 Miss World contest, which is expected to be held in India this December.