On the evening of June 28, 2025, the Miss Earth Vietnam 2025 final unfolded in Hải Phòng, culminating in the crowning of 19-year-old Ngô Thị Trâm Anh from Hải Dương as the new Miss Earth Vietnam. The event, which drew significant public attention, also sparked a heated debate online, particularly surrounding Trâm Anh's performance in the crucial question-and-answer segment.
Alongside Trâm Anh, the top four finalists included Bùi Lý Thiên Hương from An Giang, who secured the first runner-up position, followed by Phan Trần Linh Đan from Điện Biên as second runner-up, and Trịnh Mỹ Anh from Hà Nội as third runner-up. These four contestants were selected after intense rounds of competition, including presentations on environmental topics, underscoring the pageant’s focus on ecological awareness.
The Q&A round, often regarded as the litmus test of a contestant’s poise, critical thinking, and language proficiency, featured questions centered on climate change and environmental protection. Contestants had the option to answer in Vietnamese within 60 seconds or adopt a bilingual approach with a 90-second time limit. Trâm Anh, along with Linh Đan and Mỹ Anh, chose the bilingual format, while Thiên Hương opted to respond solely in Vietnamese.
Trâm Anh was posed the question: "How is climate change affecting the planet and what can we do to limit it?" She began her answer fluently in Vietnamese, articulating the urgent environmental challenges—polluted air, depleted water sources, and extreme storms—that are exacerbated by climate change. She poignantly asked, "Have we truly listened to the Earth?" and emphasized that solutions do not solely rest on macro policies or advanced technologies but fundamentally on the actions and awareness of individuals. "If each person realizes they are part of the Earth, then protecting the environment is no longer a choice but a responsibility," she stated. "I believe protecting the Earth is protecting our future. Every small action today is a building block for tomorrow."
However, the tide of public opinion shifted sharply during her English response. Many viewers and commentators noted that Trâm Anh's English delivery was slow, hesitant, and fragmented, giving the impression she was reciting memorized lines rather than speaking naturally. Her pronunciation faltered, and she was ultimately cut off for exceeding the allotted time. This faltering English segment quickly became a viral topic on social media, attracting thousands of mixed reactions within hours.
Critics expressed disappointment, arguing that as Vietnam’s prospective representative at the international Miss Earth 2025 competition, Trâm Anh needed stronger English skills and greater composure under pressure. Comments ranged from "This is the first time I've seen a Miss Earth Vietnam unable to complete the Q&A segment" to "Her English sounded like rote memorization without understanding." Some questioned the fairness of her victory given the perceived weakness in this vital area.
Conversely, a significant portion of the audience urged understanding and fairness. They highlighted Trâm Anh’s youth—only 19 years old—and acknowledged the challenges of performing live on a grand stage. Supporters pointed out that her choice to answer bilingually demonstrated effort and that language skills can improve with time and experience.
Beyond Trâm Anh's individual performance, the pageant’s organization also came under scrutiny. Social media users criticized the event’s staging and production quality, citing unprofessional aspects ranging from visual design to contestant preparation. Some felt the time constraints during the Q&A segment were too tight, potentially contributing to contestants’ nervousness and faltering performances. The event’s organizers have yet to issue an official response to these critiques.
It is worth noting that Trâm Anh’s background is marked by notable achievements and a disciplined upbringing. Standing at 1.73 meters with measurements of 89-65-98, she is currently a Business Administration student at the Vietnam Women's Academy. Raised in a military family, with her father holding the rank of Senior Colonel, she is recognized for her disciplined lifestyle and strong character. Prior to Miss Earth Vietnam 2025, she earned titles such as "Hoa khôi Học sinh Thanh lịch" (Elegant High School Beauty Queen) and "Hoa khôi Sinh viên toàn quốc 2024" (National Student Beauty Queen 2024). Throughout the competition, she consistently ranked highly in subsidiary events, including top-five placements in "Người đẹp Biển" (Beach Beauty) and "Người đẹp Thể thao" (Sports Beauty), and was widely regarded as a favorite contestant.
The other finalists also showcased thoughtful responses during the Q&A round. For instance, Bùi Lý Thiên Hương, who answered entirely in Vietnamese, received praise for her clear, focused, and heartfelt message. When asked whether community awareness or advanced technology plays a more important role in saving the Earth, Thiên Hương emphasized the interdependence of both. She cited Vietnam’s Sóc Sơn waste-to-energy plant in Hanoi as a successful example of technology aiding environmental protection and expressed hope for more such initiatives.
Phan Trần Linh Đan and Trịnh Mỹ Anh also addressed environmental themes with sincerity. Linh Đan highlighted how simple daily actions—turning off unused lights, planting trees, and reducing plastic use—can collectively make a significant impact if adopted by millions. Mỹ Anh stressed the importance of preserving natural gifts like clean water and air, urging small actions like avoiding littering and planting trees to safeguard all life on Earth.
Interestingly, the Miss Earth Vietnam 2025 organizers clarified that winning the national title does not guarantee automatic participation in the international Miss Earth 2025 pageant. Instead, the top four finalists, including the winner and three runners-up, will undergo further evaluation over approximately one month to determine the most qualified candidate to represent Vietnam on the global stage.
In the aftermath of the pageant, the controversy surrounding Trâm Anh’s English response has sparked a broader conversation about the expectations placed on beauty queens in international arenas. It raises questions about the balance between language proficiency, environmental advocacy, and stage presence in such competitions. While some argue that English fluency is essential for effective global representation, others call for a more nuanced view that considers the contestant’s overall message and potential for growth.
As the evaluation period continues, all eyes will be on the top finalists to see who ultimately earns the honor of representing Vietnam internationally. Meanwhile, the discourse around the Miss Earth Vietnam 2025 final underscores the evolving standards and pressures in beauty pageants today, where advocacy and communication skills are increasingly as critical as appearance and charisma.
