Runner-up Kha Thi Tho: Proud to promote the beauty of the Thai ethnic group in Nghe An province.
At the Miss Ethnic Tourism Vietnam 2025 final night, Kha Thi Tho, a girl from Tuong Duong, a mountainous commune in Nghe An province, was named the second runner-up. Nearly a month into the competition, Tho impressed not only with her natural beauty and intelligent answers in her native language, but also with her seriousness in participating in the contest.
The title is associated with community responsibility.
Immediately after being crowned, instead of appearing at entertainment events, runner-up Kha Thi Tho returned home.Tuong DuongDuring the "Winter Volunteer" trip, I joined the group to distribute gifts to flood victims and returned to Xa Luong Primary and Kindergarten School - where I studied from a young age.
Walking along familiar roads, meeting the locals with their gentle smiles, Tho felt happy because she was contributing a small part to supporting them. The moment that moved Tho the most was the shy but sparkling eyes of the children when they received warm clothes and books. "I was once a child like that, lacking books and learning opportunities. Therefore, I understand that knowledge is the most sustainable path to changing lives," Tho said.
Earlier, during the awards ceremony, in an interview with the media, Tho also shared that she harbored the dream of using her runner-up title as a bridge to call for social resources to support education and welfare for children in the mountainous region of Tuong Duong.
Kha Thi Tho was born into a Thai family in Xa Luong commune (now Tuong Duong commune). Her childhood was filled with simple stilt houses, days spent accompanying her mother to the fields, and her father to the commune's health station. Despite the difficult circumstances and having four children, Tho and her siblings were fortunate to have their parents provide them with a full education. Tho's mother always reminded her children to study hard, because she understood better than anyone the disadvantages of not having gone to school. "My maternal grandfather was poor and couldn't go to school; he only knew how to work in the fields. My mother doesn't want her children to repeat that," Tho shared.
The love and silent sacrifices of her parents became the greatest motivation for Tho to persevere in her pursuit of education. While not an outstanding student, Kha Thi Tho was a diligent and determined young woman. In sixth grade, she passed the entrance exam to the Ethnic Minority Boarding School in Tuong Duong district. By tenth grade, she was one of the few students from her school to be admitted to the Provincial Ethnic Minority Boarding School.
Leaving home at such a young age was a significant challenge for a girl from the mountainous region. In the early days of sixth grade, Tho cried a lot because she missed home. Boarding school life, with its strict discipline, limited opportunities to go outside, no phones, and no social media, forced her to learn independence and self-management from a very young age.
Looking back now, I realize that my years in boarding school instilled in me resilience, perseverance, and adaptability – qualities that are crucial for my future endeavors.
Runner-up Kha Thi Tho
Spreading the beauty of Thai women.
Due to difficult family circumstances, during her high school years, there were times when Tho considered dropping out of school and going abroad to study and work at the same time. However, Kha Thi Tho later chose to study at the Nghe An University of Economics (now Nghe An University) because she did not want to interrupt her education.
The university environment helped Thơ transform from a shy, quiet girl into a more active and confident one as she began participating in Youth Union activities and student movements. One day, she happened to read an advertisement for models to perform on the pedestrian street and boldly applied. Although there was no payment, her first time on stage made Thơ realize: She loved performing, and she loved spreading beauty and positive energy.
After that competition, she was encouraged by her teachers to participate in Miss Vinh, making it to the top 20 – an unexpected result. Not long after, upon returning to her hometown, Tho was again encouraged to compete in the Miss Cua Rao pageant and won first prize. These "small playgrounds" not only brought her titles but also helped the Thai girl realize her self-worth and dare to dream bigger dreams.
In 2024, while a third-year university student, Kha Thi Tho tried her hand at a large-scale beauty pageant for the first time – Miss Tourism Vietnam – and made it to the top 16. That result wasn't perfect, but it didn't discourage her.
Conversely, Thơ saw it as an opportunity to reflect on herself: honing her skills, learning about different cultures, and cultivating self-confidence and poise. A year later, she decided to return and register for Miss Tourism Ethnic Vietnam 2025 – a competition with the mission of honoring the beauty, intelligence, and strength of women from the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Speaking about the competition, Thơ said: "I was very hesitant because I'm just a girl from a small province, my circumstances can't compare to many other contestants. But I was convinced by the meaning of the competition – a place that honors ethnic women. I wanted to try my luck once with all my determination."
The journey to conquer this competition lasted nearly a month. Besides the stage performances, the contestants also participated in reality shows with many activities promoting tourism and the cultural beauty of various ethnic groups. In the final night, Kha Thi Tho's Q&A segment left a special impression when she chose to answer in Thai before presenting in Vietnamese. Later, Tho said that it wasn't a meticulous preparation, but a "small surprise" she brought to the competition. Through her native language, Tho conveyed a message about Thai culture, community tourism, and the beauty of Western Nghe An.
Looking back on her journey, from a student who was always self-conscious about her height of 1.70m to the title of First Runner-up, Tho says it's like a dream. But she confidently says she is proud of the achievements she has made. Coming to this competition, Kha Thi Tho also wants to convey a meaningful message: Be proud of where you were born, preserve your national identity, and never stop dreaming. The road up the mountain may be steep, but the future is always wide open… Kha Thi Tho added.
Kha Thi Tho (2004) is from Tuong Duong commune, Nghe An province. She is currently a 4th-year student in the Business Administration department at Nghe An University.
Kha Thi Tho was previously among the top 20 contestants in Miss Vinh and Miss Cua Rao competitions, and among the top 16 in the Miss Tourism Vietnam pageant.
In 2025, Kha Thi Tho was the second runner-up in the Miss Ethnic Tourism Vietnam pageant. The competition was organized by SMT Investment and Development Joint Stock Company and approved by the People's Committee of Son La province according to document number 5050/UBND-KGVX signed on September 5, 2025.
This competition, held for the first time, aims to honor the beauty, intelligence, and strength of women from Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, blending tradition and modernity, while also promoting the cultural values, tourism, and unique identities of these 54 ethnic groups to the international community.
