The Organizing Committee of Miss Tourism Culture Vietnam 2026 said that, unlike focusing most of the time on performance rounds, the program spends a lot of activities for contestants to learn about culture, cuisine and typical local tourism products.
From floating markets to Western cuisine
Cai Rang floating market is one of the main destinations of the journey. Contestants are expected to start early in the morning, observe trading activities on the river, learn about the lives of residents and participate in the Miss Tourism competition.
At My Khanh Tourist Village, 36 contestants continued to experience the garden space, ecotourism and challenges related to Mekong Delta cuisine.
The journey also takes contestants to learn about the land of Tay Do, offer incense at the Hung Kings Temple, visit tourist attractions, craft villages and meet local people.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, author, cultural researcher Nham Hung - a member of the advisory board of the contest - said that Can Tho possesses many conditions to become a typical destination for Mekong Delta tourism.
According to him, besides Cai Rang floating market, which has made a mark on tourists, Can Tho and the surrounding areas also have a system of fruit orchards, architecture, river life and rich cuisine.
Mr. Nham Hung mentioned sim lo soup (also known as xiêm lo soup) - a familiar dish in the life of the Khmer people in the South - as an example of local cultural and culinary values that can be introduced more widely to tourists.
According to the researcher, bringing contestants to directly experience destinations instead of just introducing them on stage helps promotion activities have more realistic images. Through the journey of the contestants, the landscape, dishes and life of the people of the Mekong Delta have the opportunity to reach more public.
Find an ambassador to promote destinations
Besides experiencing tourism, contestants participate in the Beauty with Compassion program and the campaign "For the Green River", aiming to raise awareness of protecting the river and water environment.
Nam Em is one of the members of the judging panel. This is also her notable return to Can Tho - where she was crowned Miss Mekong Delta when she was 19 years old.
Nam Em said she expects to find contestants who not only have appearance but also have knowledge, communication skills and understanding of culture and tourism.
I want to find faces with qualities to become ambassadors, not only to shine on stage but also to have the ability to inspire," Nam Em said.
Mr. Tran Tien Dung also said that appearance and stage experience are only a part. He focuses on the behavior, communication and level of understanding of contestants about culture and tourism - necessary factors if the winner takes on the role of promoting Vietnam's image.
The final night is scheduled to take place on November 21 at My Khanh Tourist Village. Contestants will go through the national costume, swimsuit, evening gown and Q&A competitions. Miss receives a prize of 300 million VND.
