Nguyen Huong Giang Is Asia’s First Transgender Woman To Compete in Miss Universe

The Vietnamese beauty queen makes history as Asia’s first transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe.

By Moira Del Rosario November 05, 2025

The Miss Universe stage has long stood as a platform for breaking barriers—and Nguyễn Hương Giang continues that legacy. Representing Vietnam, she becomes the fourth transgender woman—and the first from Asia—to compete on the Miss Universe global stage. Beyond representing inclusivity, she stands as a symbol of courage and transformation. Her presence signals that the pageant is no longer just a stage for beauty—but for authenticity and real stories.

Multi-Faceted Queen

Nguyễn leaves her mark on every stage she steps onto. A year after her gender-affirming surgery, she joined the fourth season of Vietnam Idol, becoming the show’s first transgender contestant. Her journey was cut short, reaching only the semi-finals.

Fully embracing her singing career, the beauty queen released her debut album in 2013. Since then, she has consistently released music year after year. Beyond music, she also ventured into entertainment—winning The Amazing Race Vietnam Season 3, placing in the Top 5 of Dancing with the Stars Season 6, and starring in various films and television shows.

History-Maker

Making history seems second nature to Nguyễn. While she’s made her mark across industries, it’s in pageantry where she truly reigns. Crowned Miss International Queen in 2018, the.beauty queen later acquired the license for Thailand’s Miss Tiffany pageant in Vietnam—creating a platform to find future Miss International Queen candidates.

Nguyen at Thailand for the 74th Miss Universe

“Miss Universe has become a stage where, no matter your circumstances, all women are women, lifting each other up and shining together in front of billions.”
– Nguyễn Hương Giang on representing Vietnam

It’s proof that her achievements reach beyond the crown—extending toward her mission to uplift women, especially transgender women, on the global stage. While their presence in pageantry still faces criticism, Nguyễn Hương Giang reminds us that being first comes with responsibility. For her, that responsibility means continuing to fight for identity and equality—reminding us that inclusivity should be the bare minimum, not just in crowns and sashes, but in how we see one another.

Catch the National Costume and Preliminary Round on November 19, and the Finals on November 21 at the Miss Universe YouTube channel.

Featured Image and Photos: NGUYEN HUONG GIANG

Moira Del Rosario

Digital Content Writer

Once immersed in fictional writing at UP Diliman, Moira del Rosario eventually traded imagined worlds for the fast-paced landscape of digital media as a Digital Content Writer for MEGA Asia, covering women’s stories across the region alongside the latest in beauty.

They spotlight women shaping culture today through profiles, exclusive features, and roundups on Asian representation at global fashion events. They also write about beauty through a growing lens—covering makeup, skincare, wellness, nails, and fragrance with curiosity and a strong eye for emerging trends.

Having worked in digital media for years, Moira is drawn to stories that beg to be unraveled—from the ever-changing landscape of pop culture and the inner workings of beauty to queer voices that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and championed.

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