Beauty queen denies allegations of buying pageant title

Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2023 Bui Thi Xuan Hanh. Photo from Miss Cosmo Vietnam Facebook

Following Hanh’s victory on Sunday, some raised suspicions about her previous mentorship under model Vu Thu Phuong, a member of the Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2023 jury panel, during her participation in The Face Vietnam 2023. This connection sparked claims of preferential treatment and questions about Hanh's deservingness of the title.

Responding to these allegations in a Monday interview with NgoiSao, Hanh stated that Phuong was just one of seven judges.

"I think the congratulations I received from other contestants and pageant judges indicate that my win was legitimate," she added.

The beauty queen also emphasized the credibility and fairness of the Miss Cosmo Vietnam pageant, a 15-year-old event hosted by the organizers formerly associated with Miss Universe Vietnam. She promised to further validate her title through her future endeavors.

Hanh, 22, who graduated from the National Economics University, was awarded a VND300 million (US$12,343) prize for her Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2023 victory. She also earned the opportunity to represent Vietnam at the Miss Cosmo International 2024, to be held in Vietnam.

Miss Cosmo Vietnam, organized by Unicorp, was initially affiliated with the Miss Universe organization as its Vietnamese partner. Following its split from the Miss Universe Vietnam organization in 2023, Unicorp launched the independent Miss Cosmo Vietnam contest, starting with its 2023 edition."