The organizer of the Miss Universe Vietnam pageant has announced the suspension of copyright cooperation to nominate the Vietnamese representative to participate in the Miss Universe pageant beginning in 2023.

On February 18, the Saigon Universe Joint Stock Company (Unicorp) - the organizer of the Miss Universe Vietnam contest - announced the suspension. It will continue to organize the Miss Universe Vietnam contest, but the winner will not be sent to the Miss Universe pageant as in previous years.

Since 2008, Unicorp has been the copyright holder for the Miss Universe Vietnam pageant, and has nominated Vietnam’s representative to compete at the Miss Universe pageant. 

Vietnamese representatives at the Miss Universe beauty contest included Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 Nguyen Thuy Lam in 2008, the first runner-up at Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 Vo Hoang Yen in 2009, the first runner-up at Miss Vietnam 2010 Vu Hoang My in 2011, Miss Vietnam Universe 2012 Diem Huong in 2012, the first runner-up at Miss Vietnam Ethnicity 2007 cum runner-up at Miss Vietnam Photogenic 2006 pageant Truong Thi May in 2013, Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Pham Huong in 2015, the second runner-up at Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Le Hang in 2016, the second runner-up at Miss Vietnam Ethnicity 2013 Nguyen Thi Loan in 2017, Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H’Hen Niê in 2018, the first runner-up at Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 Hoang Thuy in 2019, Miss Universe Vietnam 2019 Khanh Van in 2020, the first runner-up at Miss Universe Vietnam 2019 Kim Duyen in 2021, Miss Universe Vietnam 2022 Ngoc Chau in 2022.

Among them, H'Hen Niê achieved the highest position as she was in the Top 5 of Miss Universe 2018. 

"However, in 2022, the Miss Universe organization changed to a new owner from Thailand. After careful consideration of many factors, Unicorp found that the new business orientation of Miss Universe is no longer suitable for Miss Universe Vietnam’s long-term goals and development strategy. Therefore, Unicorp decided to suspend cooperation with the Miss Universe organization," Unicorp explained.

Unicorp said it wants to focus entirely on the organization of the Miss Universe Vietnam 2023 pageant and continue brand development strategies. 

After the announcement, questions were raised about whether Thao Nhi Le has the right to compete in Miss Universe 2023. Which domestic beauty contest winner will represent Vietnam at the Miss Universe? In which international beauty pageant will the winner of the Miss Universe Vietnam compete?

My An