The semifinals of Miss Grand International 2026 took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday evening, bringing together nearly 80 contestants. Representing Vietnam, Emoura Pham completed both the swimsuit and evening gown rounds, with her team replacing her planned gown just hours before the competition in response to audience feedback.

A confident swimsuit performance

For the opening swimsuit round, Emoura chose a two-piece bikini featuring hip ties and a white-and-navy tie-dye pattern. She paired it with a chunky bracelet and delicate metallic strappy heels.

Her long hair fell in loose curls, while warm terracotta makeup complemented her tanned complexion.

Against a stage illuminated by purple and blue neon lights, Emoura kept her choreography relatively simple, focusing on decisive strides, hands-on-hips poses, a hair-flipping turn and direct eye contact with the cameras.

Her toned physique, long legs and confident stage presence helped deliver a polished performance without relying on elaborate movements.

Evening gown changed just six hours before the show

For the evening gown round, Emoura appeared in a striking mermaid-style dress with a nude mesh base.

A phoenix motif made from intricate beadwork and red, orange and metallic gold crystals extended from the bodice to the hem, creating the illusion of flames spreading across the fabric as she walked.

The off-the-shoulder design featured a high, jewel-embellished neckline and long, sheer fabric panels flowing from both sides to the floor.

Emoura completed the look with an elegant updo and red gemstone earrings, ending her performance with a radiant smile.

Her evening gown had already attracted considerable attention before she stepped onto the stage.

Around six hours before the semifinals, her team unveiled several proposed gown options on social media. The post quickly drew numerous comments, many expressing reservations about the designs.

Some viewers felt the red gown looked too familiar for a major international beauty pageant, while others criticized the orange design as overly elaborate and unflattering to Emoura's figure.

In response, director Hoang Nhat Nam, a representative of the team accompanying Emoura, addressed the controversy.

He said the team had carefully read and considered the feedback before deciding to change her outfit for the evening competition.

"We take responsibility for selecting and announcing the earlier options, as well as for the decision to make this adjustment," he wrote.

Nam also thanked the designers and production team for the time, effort and dedication they had invested in preparing Emoura's outfits.

"We sincerely apologize for making this change so close to the competition and deeply appreciate everyone's contributions," he said.

Designer Vo Tien Dat, who created one of the originally planned gowns, said he and his team had spent more than a month completing the piece, investing considerable time, labor and materials.

Despite the sudden change, he said he respected the team's decision.

A promising journey ahead of the final

Born in 2000, Emoura Pham is of Vietnamese and British heritage. Her Vietnamese name is Pham Chan Phuong.

She was crowned Miss Grand Vietnam 2026 on July 31 in Ho Chi Minh City, winning the national title over 29 other contestants.

Emoura arrived in Thailand on September 18 and quickly began attracting attention during the international competition.

Before the main activities began, she ranked among the 10 most-voted contestants and led the Grand Day Experience online voting poll, becoming the only Asian representative in its top 10.

On September 24, her singing and dancing performance to a song by Sabrina Carpenter earned her a place among the top 15 contestants in the talent round.

The Miss Grand International 2026 final is scheduled for October 10 in Bangkok.

Vietnam has won the international title once, when Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien was crowned Miss Grand International in 2021.

Huy Minh