Ha Thu and her team members decide to bring to the National Costume Competition at Miss Earth 2017 a new image of Vietnam instead of the familiar image of the traditional Vietnamese girl in embroidered Ao Dai costume.

Pictured is Ha Thu as an energetic and strong female soldier, who is still imbued with unique characteristics of Vietnamese women.

The design is meticulously tailored by local designer Nguyen Minh Cong and is part of his collection at the recent fashion show named The Dreamers.

 The costume is made of Lanh My A natural silk fabric and glittering lame fabric designed, featuring the beauty of modern Vietnamese women.

 Behind the costume are lotus motifs that have reflected sturdiness and softness in Vietnamese women.

Designer Minh Cong says the lotus flower has inspired him to design the costume as lotus is the symbol of Vietnam and Vietnamese women, who are very beautiful and charming but also mysterious and strong.

Ha Thu says she is very excited trying the design, adding that the costume will bring a new image of Vietnam to international friends, who get used to the familiar image of Vietnamese girls in Ao Dai

Ha Thu will participate in the National Costume Competition on October 30.