Miss Universe Vietnam 2026 Bans Transgender Women from Competing
The organizers of the Miss Universe Vietnam national beauty pageant have changed their selection rules for 2026, excluding transgender women from participating. This was reported on September 6 by the Vietnamese publication Tuổi Trẻ, citing the pageant’s producer and manager Phạm Duy Khánh.
According to the updated criteria, only “female citizens of Vietnam recognized by Vietnamese law and medicine” are eligible to compete for the title.
This decision came as a surprise, as earlier in July 2026, the organizers had announced that transgender women would be allowed to participate, provided they had the relevant legal and medical documents regarding their gender transition. This move was intended to align with the global policy of the international Miss Universe pageant, which in 2023 lifted restrictions for married women, mothers, and transgender contestants.
The Vietnamese rules were revised shortly after registration for the national stage opened. The exclusion of transgender candidates has sparked active discussions in local society regarding legal and biological barriers in the beauty industry.
