On September 17, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center coordinated to organize a program to take the Miss World 2026 delegation to visit and experience Hon Noi bird's nest island.
Defending Miss World 2026 Joheiry Mola Dominguez (Dominican Republic), 1st Runner-up Elisabeth Reynés (Spain) and 2nd Runner-up Taanusiya Chetty (Malaysia) had interesting experiences on a unique island in Vietnam.
Hon Noi Bird's Nest Island, located 13 nautical miles from Nha Trang, is a place to worship the predecessors of the Khanh Hoa bird's nest profession.
Here, the delegation performed an incense offering ceremony at the Temple of Thuy To Thanh Mau, Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Industry; explored Hon Sam bird's nest cave, learned about the traditional bird's nest profession and local bird's nest products.
Members of the delegation also visited the landscape of Hon Noi island, recording images of the sea and island nature of Khanh Hoa.
According to historical records, in 1328, Admiral Le Van Dat of the Tran Dynasty discovered islands with bird's nests in the Binh Khang sea area, now belonging to Khanh Hoa. He was honored as the Water Genie of the Bird's Nest profession.
Through many generations, the bird's nest profession has been maintained, with the experience of exploitation and processing being passed down.
In 2025, Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Exploitation and Processing Knowledge and Khanh Hoa Salanganes Nest Festival were recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Towards the milestone of 700 years of Khanh Hoa bird's nest profession, Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest Company is implementing activities to preserve and promote the value of traditional crafts.
Including research and publication of documents on the journey of building, transmitting and developing the bird's nest profession and building the Khanh Hoa Bird's Nest Industry Museum.
The museum will be a place to preserve artifacts, documents, craft stories and cultural values associated with the nearly 700-year journey of the Khanh Hoa bird's nest profession.
New Miss World Joheiry Mola Dominguez was surprised by the majestic bird's nest caves. And even more admired the labor talent of the coastal people of Khanh Hoa before the natural products of the bird's nest island.
The activity is expected to contribute to introducing the landscape, culture and traditional bird's nest craft of Khanh Hoa to international friends.
