Vietnamese transgender icon Nguyen Huong Giang added another major achievement to her already groundbreaking career this weekend, finishing as Second Runner-Up at the inaugural Miss Grand International All Stars 2026 competition in Bangkok, Thailand. The result places her among the top three contestants in a field of 56 international competitors and marks another milestone for transgender representation on the global pageant stage.
The competition brought together former beauty queens and standout contestants from major international pageants for a special all-star edition of the Miss Grand International franchise. Colombia’s Vanessa Pulgarin claimed the crown, while Ghana’s Faith Maria Porter finished as First Runner-Up. Giang secured the Second Runner-Up title after advancing through multiple elimination rounds and delivering a strong performance throughout the competition.
Giang’s path to the Top 3 was fueled by both judge evaluations and overwhelming public support. During the competition she won the fan-voted World’s Choice Award and received tens of thousands of votes from supporters around the world. Those votes helped propel her into the final rounds, demonstrating the significant international fanbase she has built over the years.
The finale itself was not without controversy. Organizers temporarily halted the event after technical issues affected the online voting system during the live broadcast. The interruption prompted concern among viewers before the competition resumed and final results were announced. Despite the disruption, Giang maintained her place among the event’s top contestants and ultimately secured the Third Place finish.
For many LGBTQ+ observers, Giang’s success extends beyond pageantry. She has become one of Vietnam’s most visible transgender public figures, first gaining international recognition after winning Miss International Queen 2018. In 2025, she also made history as the first transgender woman to represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2025, further expanding visibility for transgender women in international competitions.
Following the Miss Grand All Stars finale, Giang announced that the competition would be her final pageant appearance. In post-event remarks, she said she had achieved every goal she set for herself and felt ready to move on to the next chapter of her career.
While she fell just short of the crown, Giang’s Top 3 finish serves as another reminder of how far transgender representation in mainstream pageantry has come. For many fans across Asia and beyond, her presence on international stages continues to challenge barriers and create new opportunities for future generations of transgender contestants.
