On the morning of November 21, the Miss Universe 2025 grand finale commenced at 8:00 AM in Thailand with a vibrant opening ceremony. The event was hosted by MC Steve Byrne, joined by former Miss Universe titleholders Dayanara Torres (1993) and R'Bonney Gabriel (2022), who took on the role of commentators.

Despite high hopes and strong performances in preliminary rounds, Vietnam’s representative, Nguyen Huong Giang, did not make it into the Top 30 and officially concluded her journey at this year’s Miss Universe competition without a title.

Huong Giang’s moment on the global stage

Following the opening ceremony, organizers revealed the Top 30 contestants, chosen based on semifinal scores from earlier rounds, including private interviews, swimsuit presentations, and evening gown showcases. However, all scores were reset for the final night.

The Top 30 included representatives from India, Guadeloupe, China, Thailand, Brazil, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Colombia, the Netherlands, Cuba, Bangladesh, Japan, Puerto Rico, the United States, Mexico, the Philippines, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Malta, Chile, Canada, Latina, Croatia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Palestine, Nicaragua, France, the Dominican Republic, and Paraguay (winner of the fan vote).

Huong Giang’s name was not among them, ending her Miss Universe journey. Still, her participation is seen as a historic milestone - she was the first transgender woman from Asia to compete at Miss Universe, leaving a strong impression on international audiences.

Cultural pride and confidence

During the national costume segment, Huong Giang chose a meaningful Vietnamese traditional outfit that received widespread praise from global viewers for its cultural significance and elegance.

At the Preliminary Competition held on November 19, she stood out in a striking red two-piece bikini during the swimsuit round. With confident catwalk strides, polished spins, and a radiant smile, she received loud cheers from Vietnamese supporters in the audience.

Though she was not called in the final Top 30, her earlier performance earned her notable recognition - she placed in the Top 3 of the “Beyond the Crown” social project category and received high audience votes in several other fan-based segments.

A historic step for LGBTQ+ representation

While Huong Giang did not advance further, her participation remains a significant breakthrough for the LGBTQ+ community in Vietnam and across Asia. Her courage, pride, and authenticity brought visibility and inspired countless others.

As the curtain falls on her Miss Universe 2025 campaign, Huong Giang leaves behind more than just a memory - she leaves a legacy of representation and empowerment on one of the world’s biggest stages.

Huy Minh