Nguyen Thanh Thao was crowned Miss Ocean Vietnam 2025, while Pham Thi Phuong Vy was named first runner-up after a noticeably unbalanced final Q&A round at the grand finale.

After nearly a month of competition, the Miss Ocean Vietnam 2025 contestants entered the grand finale on the evening of September 19 at Vinh Hy Bay, Khanh Hoa Province.

The Miss Ocean Vietnam 2025 title went to contestant Nguyen Thanh Thao. The first runner-up title was awarded to Pham Thi Phuong Vy following a final Q&A round where both top 2 contestants were asked the same question:

"Why do you deserve to be Miss Ocean Vietnam 2025?"

Thanh Thao answered: "Anyone can light a candle, but to keep it burning brightly forever, we need someone who is willing to stay and protect that flame. That’s what it means to be Miss Ocean Vietnam - not just a title or a crown, but a readiness to rise and stand for the ocean and for our community.

More than that, it’s about a love for the environment from a 23-year-old student who carries hope, who wishes to spread both love and strength as a modern woman. I want to accompany Miss Ocean Vietnam to expand the project 'One Step for the Ocean' to reach more young people and all citizens.

Because I hope that our country will have a truly clean environment, where future generations can focus on learning and help our nation advance further in this new era of development."

In contrast, Phuong Vy responded: "There are specific criteria to become a beauty queen, and I believe only the organizers, the judges, and everyone present here can evaluate and decide that. I think I’ve done my best to show my capabilities, and I hope to receive the love from the judges, the team, the organizers, and all of you here."

The disparity between the two responses was stark. While Thanh Thao delivered a passionate and articulate answer, Phuong Vy’s lacked information, structure, and persuasion. Many audience members expressed that her response did not reflect the standards expected for a decisive round at a national pageant.

Earlier, the organizing committee had announced the other runner-up titles:

Fourth runner-up: Nguyen Thi Khanh Huyen
Third runner-up: Nguyen Thi Diem Chau
Second runner-up: Nguyen Ngoc Huyen Tran

With the theme “The breath of the ocean”, the finale’s stage design embraced an oceanic aesthetic with blue tones symbolizing the sea. The judging panel featured several prominent names, including designer Vo Viet Chung and former beauty queens Le Au Ngan Anh, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Chau, Le Hoang Phuong, and Nguyen Le Nhu Van.

During the finale, the judges selected contestants from the top 30 down to the top 20, top 15, top 10, and finally the top 5 plus 1 (the fan favorite). Standouts from the start of the competition like Nguyen Thi Diem Chau, Nguyen Thanh Thao, Chau To Quyen, and Le Nguyen Xuan Thao all made it into the final rounds.

In addition to the main crown, Miss Ocean Vietnam 2025 awarded several subsidiary titles: Fan Favorite, Miss Sea, Miss Fashion, Ao Dai Ambassador, Heritage Ambassador, Culture Ambassador, Tourism Ambassador, and Environmental Ambassador.

Minh Dung