Karlovy Vary turned into a stage for Vietnamese culture, as the Mrs. Ao Dai Europe 2026 finale brought together contestants from across the continent in a vibrant display of tradition and pride, Vietnam.vn reports.
The event gathered 22 participants from 13 European countries, transforming the evening into a celebration of heritage, identity, and community through the iconic Vietnamese Ao Dai.
At the end of the night, two women were crowned winners of the European title.
One of them was Vietnamese businesswoman Nguyen Thuong Thuy, who lives in Finland and competed in the under-45 category.
The other winner was Vu Ngan Ha, representing the host country in the over-45 category.
The event took place on June 6 in Karlovy Vary and formed part of a broader cultural festival showcasing Vietnamese cuisine, art, and especially the traditional long dress, the Ao Dai.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Duong Hoai Nam highlighted the deeper meaning behind the pageant.
“The ao dai is more than just a piece of clothing. It represents the grace, resilience, and identity of Vietnamese women throughout history,” he said, according to event remarks.
He added that the contestants acted as “ambassadors of elegance and cultural pride,” helping strengthen ties between Vietnamese communities and their host countries in Europe.
The competition has run for a decade, previously hosted in cities including Prague, Dresden and Warsaw, and has become a recurring cultural platform for the Vietnamese diaspora in Europe.
