Filipinos were overjoyed when Filipino-Australian beauty queen Catriona Gray won the Miss Universe 2018 pageant in December, but many Pinoys’ hearts were also won over by H’Hen Niê (Miss Vietnam 2018) and her heartwarming story.
The Vietnamese pageant contestant came to the Philippines on Feb. 1 (Friday) to attend the Youth Congress of Francis Papua Papica Foundation, Inc. held in Naga City in Camarines Sur.
Her visit was a brief one, though — Niê announced just yesterday that she was leaving the country, posting on her social media accounts that it was “time to say goodbye” as she thanked the Philippines for hosting her for the past couple of days.
She can be seen in the post posing in a long white dress, which she explains: “This is a special dress for me, it’s mixed between the traditional costume of Vietnam and Philippines, designed by Aodai Kinzu (Song Toan). I love this!”
This is a special dress for me, it’s mixed between the traditional costume of Vietnam and Philippines, designed by Aodai Kinzu (Song Toan) I love this !
It’s time to say goodbye, Thank you so much Philippines, I will never forget your love and warm welcome, I love all of you ❤️🇵🇭 pic.twitter.com/g0Zar9gkAL— H’Hen Niê (@HHenNie92) February 3, 2019
“I will never forget your love and warm welcome, I love all of you,” she ended.
In another shot, she wore an elegant baro’t saya, a traditional attire. She said: “OMG I love this dress, this is the traditional costume of the North of Phillipines (sic), the Filipino Hispanic dress, and it’s gorgeous right? How do I look with it?
OMG I love this dress, this is the traditional costume of the North of Phillipines, the Filipino Hispanic dress, and it’s gorgeous right? How do I look with it? pic.twitter.com/uNAfqLNmxI
— H’Hen Niê (@HHenNie92) February 2, 2019
She posted photos with Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj wearing matching traditional attire. Raj was wearing red while Niê rocked a yellow version. She said in the post: “I’m so happy to see you.”
Miss Universe sisters in Terno 👯♀️ 🇻🇳🇵🇭 I’m so happy to see you, my sis @onlyvenusraj #Philippines #Vietnam #MissUniverse #Sisters ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wSJZD9PE7f
— H’Hen Niê (@HHenNie92) February 2, 2019
During the youth congress, she said that she was honored to be able to join in on the event where she could “meet various students, potentials (sic) of future Philippines and share my stories.”
“Without any part of my past, I wouldn’t be the person I am right now. I believe in the miracle of life, that if you truly believe, life will not give up on you,” she said.
She added that many call her the Cinderella of Vietnam, but Niê also pointed out that Cinderella has a fairy godmother to help her “while I created this miracle for myself.”
“Believe in yourself, always make the efforts (sic), think positively, you would definitely achieve your dreams! Thank you so much. I feel very touched by your warm welcome, Philippines.”
She also shared a photo of her eating tuyo (dried fish) during her stay while dining at a restaurant which overlooked the SM Mall of Asia’s Ferris wheel in Pasay City. She called it “Cá Khô” which is her favorite.
This is ‘Cá Khô’, my hometown food and also ‘Tuyo’ in the Philippines. My favorite!! I can consume a whole bowl of rice with one of this fish 😍😋😋 pic.twitter.com/xwpPMz4cuO
— H’Hen Niê (@HHenNie92) February 1, 2019
Niê placed in the top 5 of the Miss Universe beauty pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand in December. She is a global ambassador for Room to Read, a nonprofit organization which supports girls’ education and literacy.
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