Vietnamese beauty queens entertain soldiers stationed on Spratly Islands

During their visit to the archipelago off the central province of Khanh Hoa from May 29 to June 4, they performed fashion, singing and dancing shows and spoke with the soldiers about their work. They were accompanied by students.

The 2020 Miss Vietnam Do Thi Ha (wearing jeans) and the 2022 Miss Grand Vietnam Doan Thien An take photos with the naval soldiers. Photo courtesy of Ha and An

They went to Sin Cowe Island and gave gifts to the troops there on June 1. They anchored near Johnson South Reef (Gac Ma) but could not land on the island due to tidal surges. They attended a commemoration ceremony for the soldiers who died defending the island.

Early March 14, 1988, the Vietnamese Navy’s Brigade 125 sent three ships with nearly 100 officers and soldiers to the Gac Ma (Johnson South), Co Lin (Collins or Johnson North) and Len Dao (Lansdowne) reefs in the Spratly Archipelago.

The soldiers were transporting construction materials on to Gac Ma when four Chinese vessels arrived and attacked them.

The following day they visited main islands in the archipelago. They attended the flag salute ceremony, offered incense at a monument to martyrs and paid tributes to former President Ho Chi Minh.

The 2020 Miss Vietnam Do Thi Ha and 2022 Miss Grand Vietnam Doan Thien An and university students accompanying them sing with soldiers on Southwest Cay Island. Photo courtesy of Ha and An

They took part in running competitions, visited exhibitions and sang and danced with soldiers.

They had planned to visit the DK1 Platforms on the last day of their trip, but were again prevented by tidal surges.

So they spoke and sang with the soldiers there and thanked them by walkie-talkie.

The 2020 Miss Vietnam Do Thi Ha with a soldier. Photo courtesy of Ha

The soldiers in turn posed and sent their appreciation to them by video.

An said she wrote about her activities and emotions during the trip in her diary. “I have been to many places across the country, but never thought I would have such a precious experience. I feel like I have matured a lot.”

“During my visit to the islands, I could not use my phone or access social media. I had genuine conversations.”

The 22-year-old represented Vietnam in the 2021 Miss World contest and made it to the top 13. An, 23, represented the country in the 2022 Miss Grand International pageant.