The extraordinary path of H’Hen Nie

That sense of community shaped her spirit, yet it also presented obstacles most would struggle to comprehend. In the region where she was born, few children were sent to school, and even fewer persisted in pursuing their studies. The first challenge was language: Ede families speak their own tongue, yet formal education is taught only in Vietnamese. Learning was difficult enough, but mastering an entirely new language alongside it made the task even harder. H’Hen Nie faced this from the age of six.

A second challenge was the weight of regional and ethnic prejudice. Born with a different skin tone, speaking a different language, she felt the burden of not quite belonging. Without understanding and encouragement, such differences can foster a sense of inferiority in children, and this was true of her. Entering high school, she gained more friends, but struggled with Vietnamese, feeling isolated as a result.

“Thankfully, I was chosen as the class’s deputy secretary, which gave me a sense of responsibility and brought me closer to my teachers, who offered me great support. Being in an environment where I didn’t yet speak the primary language but was still entrusted with a role gave me the confidence to try—to communicate more, to share more. From that point, I grew bolder by the day,” she recalls.

With ambition driving her forward, H’Hen Nie eventually left her village for Saigon to pursue her studies and build a career. Excited by the prospect of a new life, she nonetheless struggled with self-consciousness when she first entered university and began modelling. “I only spoke when I was with my colleagues, but with others—especially famous people—I barely dared to say hello, let alone start a conversation,” she confesses.

The turning point came in 2017, when Miss Universe Vietnam opened for applications. With a carefree spirit and a desire to gain new experiences—“and bring back some gifts,” she laughs—she decided to sign up. “Many times, I had seen the dazzling promotional images of celebrities and wished, just once, to appear like that. But in Vietnam, those spaces are usually reserved for A-list stars, such as beauty queens, actors, or singers. I wanted to try, even though I didn’t receive much encouragement at a time when Miss Universe was attracting huge attention.”

Yet what appeared to be disadvantages turned out as opportunities, giving her the freedom to chase an extraordinary dream. “Coming from the countryside and seeing the splendour of the world beyond, I was deeply curious. So, I entered the competition with a relaxed and open heart, simply hoping to do my best. I knew I had some strengths in performance, so I saw this as a chance to make a name for myself. I competed with all my passion, my heart, and my love for the craft.”

The spotlight soon found her. That year, she was crowned Miss Universe Vietnam, and just one year later, she placed in the Top 5 at Miss Universe, held in Bangkok, Thailand, alongside representatives from Venezuela, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and South Africa—an achievement that remains unmatched by any Vietnamese contestant in international pageantry.

The moment she was crowned brought not just accolades but also a new sense of responsibility. With the platform that came with her title, H’Hen Nie immediately turned her attention to education for children in the highlands. The roots of this commitment lie in a moment from her own adolescence. At the age of 13—the average age for marriage among the Ede people—she remembers a close friend who had just given birth, while she herself was still attending school.

“I can’t quite describe how I felt at that moment—it was simply a strange, unsettling feeling. I didn’t want to face it, so whenever my parents or relatives mentioned marriage, I avoided the conversation. I just thought: if I don’t go to school, my only future is working in the fields, getting married, having children. Life would be incredibly difficult,” she recalls.

“To change your life, education must always be the top priority. Marrying young, without the knowledge or skills to care for yourself and your family, only deepens financial hardship. Children are born into poverty, receive little education, and the cycle repeats. Even now, I still want to continue learning, to develop my skills further. I hope young girls will take the time to understand themselves, prioritise their personal growth, and give themselves the chance to pursue their dreams.”

“For ethnic minority students, I want to encourage them to stand up for their education, to be strong, even if it means resisting family expectations. I was lucky—my family never forced me to marry young—but in many communities, deeply ingrained traditions make that battle even harder. I urge these students to speak up, to seek help from teachers or those around them, and not to accept the obstacles in their way.

“I know many young people—just 18 or 19—who already have two or three children. Their lives are incredibly tough, and they feel trapped with no way out. But there are always other choices. Some paths may be difficult at first, but they lead to a better future.”

H’Hen Nie still remembers the days of her childhood, clutching a few torn pages from a comic book—treasuring them, reading them over and over again. For children in her village, the chance to hold a book, to immerse themselves in a story, was almost nonexistent. It was this experience that later inspired her commitment to education in remote areas. Over the past seven years, she has dedicated herself to her Friendly Library project—a space that embodies the dreams of a child who once longed for words but had none.

“In the Friendly Library, we have a special Reading Day, when students read aloud to their parents—many of whom, such as my aunts and even my own mother, were once illiterate. These are simple yet deeply meaningful moments,” she reflects. “I remember a teacher once telling me that I might never fully understand the impact the library was having on these children. Growing up surrounded only by mountains, forests, and fields, they had no concept of life beyond their villages, no idea what their dreams could be. But through books, they begin to see the world differently. These stories, chosen to match their age and understanding, help them develop a habit of reading, shape their aspirations, and give them a vision for a better future.”

The Friendly Library project has been a defining mission for H’Hen Nie, one she has steadfastly pursued for years. To date, she has established 11 libraries across the provinces of Lâm Đồng, Hà Giang, Lai Châu, Đắk Lắk, Gia Lai, Ninh Thuận, and An Giang. Her goal for 2024 is to add three more, bringing the total to 14. This is a simple model, built through collective effort—the funding comes partly from H’Hen’s personal fund, with additional support from sponsors, and the libraries themselves are constructed by local families and school teachers. Each time she donates a new library, she visits in person—sharing stories, distributing books, and celebrating with the children. Through these moments, she hopes to instill a love of reading, planting the seeds of a lasting reading culture.

“Books are an invaluable treasure. They allow children to explore, to dream freely, and to shape their own futures,” she affirms.

Those who have accompanied H’Hen Nie on her charity trips often remark on her hands-on approach. Unlike many ambassadors who simply attend for appearances, she immerses herself in every task—cleaning, wrapping gifts, arranging tables, and decorating the space. It is this down-to-earth nature that has won her the admiration of the public. What touches her the most, however, are the handwritten letters she receives from students in the villages where she has donated libraries.

“Once, I came across a post online criticising me,” she recalls. “But as I scrolled through the comments, I saw nothing but encouragement. People remembered the work I had done, the initiatives I had supported—they wanted me to keep going. I was so moved, I nearly cried. I don’t dwell on criticism, but words of appreciation from those who have followed my journey deeply touch me. It reminds me that I must keep striving.”

“A day as a beauty queen, a lifetime as a beauty queen.”—A phrase synonymous with glamour, but when spoken by H’Hen Nie during her farewell walk as Miss Universe Vietnam, it carried a different meaning. Looking at all she has done and continues to do, it is clear that she has redefined what it means to wear the crown. Through her words and actions, she embodies not only beauty but also kindness, purpose, and dedication to creating positive change.

Even without a title, she remains a queen in the hearts of many. And most importantly, in handing over the crown, H’Hen Nie also returns to herself—a woman unlike any other.

This article was published in the December 2024 issue of Tatler Vietnam.

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