Thái Thị Hoa, 26, is the official representative of Vietnam at Miss Earth 2020. It is the 20th edition of the annual international beauty pageant and it will be aired on FOXlife and TV5.

Thái is 175cm tall. She is an alumna of the Faculty of Banking and Finance of Saigon University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

There are several reasons why Thái is proud of Vietnam. Among these are her home country’s national solidarity and successful containment of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

To win the Miss Earth 2020 crown, Thái has to beat 83 other candidates from all over the world. Including Vietnam, a total of 17 countries from Asia are represented.

The competition started on September 21, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reigning Miss Earth 2019 Nellys Pimentel, 23, of Puerto Rico will crown her successor through a virtual coronation night hosted by British journalist James Deakin, 48, who is based in the Philippines.

Like in the 19 previous editions, the three runners-up will also have titles. These are Miss Earth-Air 2020, Miss Earth-Water 2020 and Miss Earth-Fire 2020.

Prior to the coronation night, the candidates participated in the national costume competition, the evening gown competition, the swimsuit competition, the resort wear competition, the sports wear competition and the talent competition. The candidates were divided into four continental group namely Africa, Asia and Oceania, Europe and the Americas.

In the Asia and Oceania group, Thái won gold in the national costume competition. She also won bronze in the evening gown competition.

This is the first time Miss Earth is held virtually. All of the 19 previous editions were held in the Philippines except for the 10th and 15th editions, which were held in Vietnam and Austria, respectively.

Among the 19 Miss Earth titleholders, six are from Asia. They are Karla Henry, 34, Jamie Herrell, 26, Angelia Ong, 30, and Karen Ibasco, 29, of the Philippines, Nicole Faria, 30, of India and Nguyễn Phương Khánh, 25, of Vietnam.

Founded on April 3, 2001 and headquartered in the Philippines, Miss Earth promotes environmental awareness, conservation and social responsibility. It is one of the top four international beauty pageants along with Miss International, Miss World and Miss Universe.

Thái is looking forward to be the second Miss Earth from Vietnam. Watch her eco-video here: