At a press conference on August 30, the organization holding the Vietnamese rights to Manhunt International announced that Tran Tien Dung had been selected to compete at the international male pageant in 2026.

Born in 1997 in Phu Tho, Dung graduated in Business Administration from Hanoi University of Science and Technology. He previously worked as marketing director for a fitness center chain and is now a freelance model.

In late 2025, he was crowned Manhunt Vietnam 2025 and also won the Best Body title.

Over the past nine months, Dung has been preparing for the international competition, working on his physique, runway skills, communication and foreign-language abilities.

He has also spoken openly about the pressure he experienced after winning the national title. At times, the weight of expectations made him question himself. As he matured, however, he came to realize that he did not need to live according to other people's expectations, but instead needed to understand himself and remain confident in his own identity.

“I want to present the image of a confident, mature and modern man, while sharing the very best image of Vietnamese people on the international stage,” Dung said.

His Business Administration degree from Hanoi University of Science and Technology has also given him an advantage in pursuing opportunities in both his career and personal life.

Before moving into modeling, Dung held senior management positions at small and medium-sized businesses. He said that experience helped him develop a management mindset that has provided a foundation as he moves into new environments.

“I see it as both an advantage and a disadvantage,” he said. “The advantage is that I already have a foundation in management. The disadvantage is that when I enter a different environment, I have to adapt and learn again from the beginning.”

Whatever the setting, Dung believes the key is to keep learning, developing new skills and improving himself.

The organization holding the Manhunt International rights in Vietnam hopes Dung can win the title or at least finish in the top five. Its representative said he has advantages in his appearance, strength and masculinity, as well as a solid educational background.

First held in 1993, Manhunt International is considered one of the three major international male pageants, alongside Mr World and Mister International.

Contestants are assessed across a range of criteria, including physique, stage performance and communication skills, while the competition also places emphasis on health, career achievements and contributions to the community.

This year, contestants will take part in a series of activities in Sri Lanka before the final, scheduled for September 9.