On November 15 (Hanoi time), 127 contestants at Miss Universe competed in the semifinal event held at Arena CDMX, Mexico. The event opened with the National Costume round, with contestants walking in alphabetical order as the emcees introduced each unique costume and its inspiration.
Ky Duyen appeared near the end, wearing a traditional Nhat Binh robe adorned with intricate embroidery and glistening stones. Her costume unfolded into a striking “cocoon-to-butterfly” effect as she walked, symbolizing Ky Duyen’s transformative journey through life’s challenges toward a brighter future. Her performance drew enthusiastic cheers from the audience.
Ky Duyen’s costume presentation quickly went viral on Facebook, receiving praise for her poise and timing. Comments included, “Opening the umbrella just as they announced Vietnam – stunning!” and “After seeing others perform, Ky Duyen truly stood out.” Many praised the costume’s elegant, distinctive design, noting its balance of traditional Vietnamese identity and modern aesthetics. “It wasn’t overly elaborate but beautifully represented our heritage,” one fan remarked.
Designed by Dang Tran Tri with guidance from Nguyen Minh Cong, the “Ngoc Diep Ky Nam” outfit was inspired by the butterfly umbrella from Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty in the 20th century. This historical piece reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of past artisans, once used as wall decorations and symbols of longevity in noble households.
The costume features pink, purple, and blue hues, with butterfly patterns meticulously arranged across the wings to create a dynamic, moving canvas as Ky Duyen walked.
Ky Duyen shared that her vision for the costume involved three elements: celebrating Vietnamese culture, sharing a personal narrative, and capturing modern fashion. The team spent a week crafting the piece, mostly by hand. Ky Duyen packed the costume herself among other essentials for her journey at the end of October. On November 9, she briefly lost the costume while traveling but recovered it within two days.
Vietnam has a history of making a memorable impact in the National Costume round with creative costumes such as the “Banh Mi” (H’Hen Nie – 2018) and “Vietnamese Iced Coffee” (Hoang Thuy – 2019).
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Source: Vietnam Insider