Phuong Vy applied for the You Can Do It – Universe Online photo competition, the first part of the Miss Vietnam Universe 2019 season.

Nguyen Phuong Vy's photos posted on the Miss Vietnam Universe 2019’s website

Phuong Vy said that since she was small, she had dreamt of competing at a beauty pageant and being selected as the country’s representative at international beauty contests.

She has experienced challenges adapting to a female body. The appearance of Miss Spain Universe 2018 Angela Ponce at Miss Universe 2018 has contributed to inspiring her dream.

“Angela Ponce saw her dream come true, but I can’t. I hope that one day I can appear in Miss Vietnam Universe and shout loudly that I am Nguyen Phuong Vy from HCM City,” she said in her application.

According to Phuong, she knew that she would not meet the criteria for Miss Universe Vietnam, but she decided to send her application to the organiser.

Her dossier was turned down for not being suitable for the contest regulations, but the organiser still published her photos on the Miss Vietnam Universe 2019’s website as the encouragement to her bravery and strong will, hoping that she would continue her dreams.

They expect that one day she would have a chance to stand in the stage of Miss Universe Vietnam.

Phuong Vy is 1.73 metres high and weighs 52 kilos with measures 84-60-90. She was recognised as the first runner-up in Vietnam’s first transgender beauty contest last year.

This year’s pageant will also see the participation of former candidates of Miss Vietnam  Universe 2017 Nguyen Thi Thanh Trang and Le Thi Ngoc Ut.