Crowned and becoming Miss Cosmo 2025, what are Yolina Lindquist's current feelings?
- I feel very excited about the opportunities that are opening up ahead, and at the same time feel grateful. The moment of being crowned Miss Cosmo 2025 made me cherish it throughout my life, not only because of the title, but because of all the meanings in the journey I have gone through. For me, the crown is not only a milestone of achievement, it is also a reminder of the values that I will continue to pursue in this term.
Lunar New Year 2026 is approaching, what does Yolina Lindquist think if she celebrates Vietnamese Tet for the first time as Miss Cosmo?
- Celebrating Tet in Vietnam is new things that I have never experienced before.I really want to learn from those around me, listen to their stories and understand more about the meaning behind each custom and tradition.
Gathering around the tray, giving each other lucky red envelopes or spending time on moments of contemplation and sharing is extremely meaningful to me.I hope to feel Tet not as a guest, but as a person who is truly welcomed and immersed in the spirit of Vietnamese culture.
What do Miss Yolina Lindquist expect most from experiencing the traditional Tet atmosphere in Vietnam?
- I personally feel there is something very special in the moment when the whole country slows down, looks back at the old year and looks to the future with many hopes. Therefore, I look forward to feeling the spirit of cohesion between people in a small family, in a large Miss Cosmo family or in a whole country - things that make Vietnamese Tet become close and full of emotions.
As someone who grew up in the US, what Tet customs of Vietnamese people are you most curious about?
- I am particularly curious and pay a lot of attention to the tradition of worshiping ancestors of Vietnamese people. I am really touched by the way Tet creates a meaningful space for everyone to remember previous generations and express gratitude for their sacrifices. This tradition makes me feel in sync, because it reminds us to look back at the past and cherish the foundations that have been nurtured from before our time. That also reflects the values that I was nurtured from a young age: Respecting family history, preserving heritage and understanding that our people today were formed from many previous generations. In that way, remembering ancestors is not only looking back at the past, but also helping us better understand ourselves in the present.
In the US, the New Year is often associated with Christmas and New Year’s Eve, while in Vietnam it is Tet Reunion. How does Yolina Lindquist feel about this difference?
- New Year in the US for me is often like a festival season with a bustling atmosphere, after the countdown moment there will be celebration parties. When I have the opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture, I clearly feel the beauty of slowing down and putting family at the center in the moment of welcoming the new year. Tet is not only the beginning of a year, but also a time to reunite with loved ones, share the joys and sorrows of the old year and step into the new year with full gratitude.
If she had to choose a Vietnamese Tet custom to introduce to international friends, what would Yolina Lindquist choose and why?
- Perhaps the time I have been in Vietnam is not long, so I have not experienced many Tet customs. However, there is a beauty of Vietnamese Tet that I really want to share with international friends, which is the spirit that Tet creates for energy regeneration and new beginnings. Tet reminds us that, no matter what the old year has gone through, everyone deserves to start over in a new journey.
In the position of Miss Cosmo - a symbol of cultural diversity, what values do you see of Vietnamese Tet that can spread to the world?
- As the reigning Miss Cosmo 2025, I believe that the values present in Vietnamese Tet such as gratitude or respect for tradition can completely spread to the world. The spirit of Vietnamese Tet reminds us that true maturity does not come from forgetting the past, but from knowing how to cherish and learn from what has passed. These are core values that I believe any country can find meaningful lessons from.
Tet is the time for everyone to look back at a year that has passed. What is the journey of 2025 for you - challenges, growth or transformation?
- For me, 2025 is a year of profound transformations. Over the past year, I have gone through many challenges both innerly and mentally. But in each of those challenges, I learned how to grow up, learned how to go further than what I once thought was a limit. It was a year that taught me the true meaning of patience and resilience, even when the road ahead is not yet clear. Looking back, I realize that each experience contributes to creating who I am today.
Tet in Vietnam is associated with family. In the first days of the new year, what do you remember most about your family in the US?
- I miss my family very much, especially the occasions when the whole family gathers together during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. Above all, I miss familiar and ordinary moments: laughter, conversations about life, watching movies together or sitting on the porch to warm up by the fire. Now, my sisters and I live in different places, so holidays are the rare time of the year for us to truly sit together and listen to everything everyone has experienced. For me, those moments are extremely meaningful.
On the occasion of the New Year, what message do you want to send to Vietnamese audiences - those who welcomed you and gave you a lot of love right from the moment you were crowned?
- From the bottom of my heart, I would like to send my sincere thanks to Vietnam for welcoming me with all warmth and love from the very first days. It is this kindness and generosity that has made Vietnam the second home in my heart. I always carry the love and support of you every day, which is also a great source of motivation to accompany me throughout the upcoming journey. As Tet is approaching, I wish you and your loved ones a new year of peace, abundant health, full of love and many beautiful beginnings...
Thank you for sharing!
