Miss Universe Vietnam promote Vietnam’s hidden gems

Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H'Hen Nie has been featured in a photo collection that showcases the beauty of some of Vietnam's landscapes.

A highlight of her trip is the Ba Vi National Park, in Hanoi. In this majestic location, the famous model, surrounded by nature, portrays a tranquil sense of relaxation and refreshment in this magnificent setting of mountain streams and waterfalls full of old trees.

H'Hen Nie had a forest bathing in Ba Vi National Park, Hanoi. Photo courtesy of H’Hen Nie

Embracing the experience from sound to soul, H'Hen Nie immersed herself in the symphony of sounds and pristine beauty of the Northern Delta.

In the ancient city of Hue, she explored it through the sense of taste, with a morning visit to nearby Tay Loc Market for a spicy bowl of bun hen (vermicelli with baby clams) made from a family recipe passed down through generations (with a few tweaks along the way).

Next on the gastronomic itinerary was a visit to Ma's House for a hands-on experience making banh bo mut (candied roll cake) and a 5-color box to serve it in, paired with a history lesson on this famous Hue dish and the origins of the box.

H'Hen Nie posing with traditional Hue architecture.

Then she moved on to a mighty river and a mighty meal in the southern province of Tay Ninh.

Tay Ninh is a little off the beaten tourist path, but the province in southern Vietnam that borders Cambodia is a destination that boasts a lot to explore.

From its national park to chili salt, a famous Vietnamese export that has been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage, Tay Ninh offers unique cuisine and landscapes. H'Hen Nie started her day at Meliá Vinpearl Tay Ninh, an upscale property that's the tallest building in the city. From there, she ventured deep into the Lo Go-Xa Mat National Park for a boat ride on the Vam Co Dong River, taking in the sounds of nature and the diverse landscape, from mangrove forests to evergreen trees. Like Hue, Tay Ninh is rich in gastronomy, and the model tried her hand at making Banh Trang Phoi Suong (dew-soaked rice paper), a specialty of the region.

She explores the recipe to make chili salt in Tay Ninh.

The three destinations H'Hen Nie visited embody the vast beauty of Vietnam. The trip resulted from a collaboration between the beauty queen and the Spanish hotel group, Meliá Hotels & Resorts.

H'Hen Nie, a model and travel ambassador, made history in 2018 when she became the first Vietnamese woman to reach the top five in a Miss Universe pageant. Her story is of grit and determination, as she was born in an ethnic village in the Central Highlands and grew up from domestic helper to jet-setting model.

Through her work as a travel ambassador for parts of Vietnam and overseas destinations, she's had the opportunity to explore much of the country.

 Ba Vi National Park depicted in her photos:

After trekking in the forest, tourists have a relaxing time in the vast beauty.

She checks into Melia Ba Vi Retreats, a property based on old French villas.

H'Hen Nie (L) immersed herself in the symphony of sounds and the pristine beauty of the forest.