Miss Việt Nam 2020 Đỗ Thị Hà is a law student. Photos courtesy of Đỗ Thị Hà

Miss Việt Nam 2020 Đỗ Thị Hà has been selected to represent Việt Nam at the Miss World 2021 beauty pageant in Puerto Rico in December. Hà talks to Vân Nguyễn about her plans for the competition and her charitable projects during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Inner Sanctum: How do you feel about preparing for the upcoming Miss World 2021 in Puerto Rico?

Right now, I am on a tight schedule and there are days when it is very tiring, but I am still very excited because I am on this journey of preparing for the Miss World 2021 competition. It will be a memorable experience for me when I think back.

The pandemic is the biggest challenge for me. Three or four months ago I was supposed to move to Hồ Chi Minh City for training, but I couldn’t due to the pandemic.

Eventually I just had around one month for all the training sessions. But with the dedication and support of the whole team, I believe I will do well.

Inner Sanctum: How have you prepared for the competition?

A few months ago, due to the pandemic situation in HCM City, I could only do preparation in Hà Nội. At that time, I did exercise at home, learned English and enriched my background knowledge.

After I arrived in HCM City with my team, my schedule was quite tight. I have learned other things including dancing, cat-walking and many other skills. Though it was tiring, it was a fun time and I really enjoyed it.

Hà will represent Việt Nam at the Miss World 2021 beauty pageant.

Inner Sanctum: Could you describe a typical day preparing for the beauty pageant?

My day starts at around 6am. I learn and practise dancing in the morning before having a two-hour break for lunch. Then I go ahead and practise the catwalk or other skills in the afternoon. I finish working by 5 or 6pm. I often study English or have a rest in the evening.

Inner Sanctum: Vietnamese women have achieved strong results at international beauty pageants. What is your goal?

Earning the title of Miss Việt Nam 2020 is proof of my efforts in improving myself every day. I feel grateful for being chosen to represent Việt Nam at Miss World 2021. When I look at the achievements of previous Vietnamese representatives, I am impressed.

Reaching the top 12, Lương Thùy Linh is the Vietnamese representative with the highest-ever finishing position in the competition so far. I have set a goal to achieve that position or even higher. As the competition gets closer, I will use the time effectively to have the best preparation for the competition.

Hà helps prepare food packages for disadvantaged people affected by COVID-19.

Inner Sanctum: What do you bring to Miss World 2021 as a representative of Việt Nam’s beauty?

From a very young age, I have trained myself to become a brave, resilient, dynamic and creative woman. As a representative of Việt Nam, I will bring those traits along with confidence, hospitality and authenticity to the Miss World competition. I believe that with all this in mind, I will win the love of all the judges and contestants.

Inner Sanctum: Could you tell us about your most memorable experience in the past few months?

It has been a memorable time for me and a lot of other people as we have just gone through a devastating pandemic. I joined a number of charitable projects to help workers who were stuck in Hà Nội and HCM City. Joining these projects gave me a stronger sense of the value of giving, and made my life more meaningful.

Hà was crowned Miss Việt Nam in 2020.

I worked with soldiers and volunteers to prepare 1,000 food packages for disadvantaged people, especially those in rental areas. Each pack included rice, milk and canned fish. It was not much but I hope it helped make the recipients feel a bit better amid the pandemic.

As honourable president of a charitable organisation, I have received many requests for help. Though our life has almost returned to normal, there are many still stuck in the city, as well as poor people that need help.

When I came to a commune in Bình Thạnh District to deliver relief packages for the locals in need, I saw the other side of the city where the poor live, which was completely different from the luxurious side many often think of. It urged me to help more people. VNS