Hanoi [Vietnam], February 10: 37 years after being crowned Miss Ho Chi Minh City 1989, Ly Thu Thao - a beauty queen once associated with the gentle and demure beauty of Vietnam in the late 1980s - returns in a rare photo shoot.
Born in 1970, Ly Thu Thao comes from a background in sports and physical education. Since 1985, she has been involved in aerobics at the former District 1 Sports Center (Ho Chi Minh City). Four years later, in 1989, she was crowned Miss Ho Chi Minh City, a milestone that, in her own words, is "the most beautiful, precious, and respected period of her 37 years of life."
"It's an indescribable feeling in my life," Ly Thu Thao shared. For her, the Miss title is not just a temporary glory, but a memory that uplifts her spirit and accompanies her through many turning points in life.
Ly Thu Thao recreates a photograph, awakening memories of youth.
During her trip back to Vietnam to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese New Year) with her family in early 2026, Ly Thu Thao attracted attention with a series of photos in ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) taken from an angle almost identical to a photo taken 35 years ago. That moment quickly spread on social media, evoking nostalgic feelings in many viewers.
The beauty queen spoke about this special experience: "The moment I recreated the photo, I felt a lingering sense of nostalgia for my youth. It wasn't a feeling of regretful nostalgia, but rather a calm dialogue with my past self."
According to photographer Minh Hoa, the original photo was taken in 1991 at the Golden Deer Tourist Area (Ho Chi Minh City), capturing Ly Thu Thao in a white ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress), holding an orchid branch. After more than three decades, when she stood before the camera again, that aura seemed to have not faded at all.
"I didn't expect Ly Thu Thao to still perform so smoothly in front of the camera, especially her finger movements," photographer Minh Hoa commented. For him, that's a sign of a beauty that doesn't depend on age, but is created from the maturity of life experiences.
In 2000, Ly Thu Thao moved to the United States and almost completely withdrew from Vietnamese showbiz. She currently lives in Minnesota, choosing a quiet life away from the spotlight. Looking back, Ly Thu Thao frankly shared that film had given her many memories and helped her understand more about the seventh art in her country. However, it was also a journey she chose to end at the right time.
"Filmmaking left me with beautiful memories of trying my hand at it. I loved it, but that's where it stopped," she said. Without regrets about the glory, Ly Thu Thao moved on to another chapter of her life with a rare calmness for someone who had once stood at the pinnacle of fame.
In the US, she built a peaceful family life, maintaining a routine of light daily exercise to preserve both her physical and mental health. "Currently, I appreciate and am content with my life, finding peace in the years to come," the former beauty queen confided.
Returning with respect
Ly Thu Thao's trip back home for Tet (Lunar New Year) was not only a family reunion but also an opportunity to reconnect with beautiful memories of her homeland. She was invited by Ms. Minh Tam - Principal of Le Quy Don School (Ho Chi Minh City) - to attend the Vietnamese Spring Festival 2026, held on February 7th, in a warm and solemn atmosphere.
At over 50 years old, Ly Thu Thao doesn't appear as a beauty queen on stage, but rather as a woman who has experienced glory and now returns with composure and maturity. She doesn't try to relive her past glory, but that radiance still quietly shines through her every gesture and glance.
Concluding the conversation, Ly Thu Thao thanked Thanh Nien Newspaper for the meeting during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), and also sent New Year wishes to readers: "As the New Year approaches, I wish the newspaper and its readers near and far a year of success and happiness."
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
