Bangkok Teen Mom Wins Miss Global Inspiring Women
Against a backdrop of personal triumphs and societal hurdles, newly crowned Miss Global 2025, Nguyen Dinh Nhu Van, delivered a powerful message of resilience and empowerment at the Bangkok Post’s Women Vision 2025 forum in Samyan Mitrtown on Thursday. Sharing the stage with Ann Chumaporn, co-founder of Bangkok Pride, Ms. Nguyen’s story resonated deeply with the audience, highlighting the importance of perseverance and advocating for a more equitable future.
Ms. Nguyen’s journey to the crown has been unconventional. Hailing from a remote Vietnamese mountain village, she faced teenage motherhood at 17. A situation many would view as a roadblock, Ms. Nguyen transformed it into a catalyst for growth. “I thought that was the end of my dreams,” she confessed, recalling her initial despair. However, she discovered inner strength, evolving from survival to ambition. “I realized it’s not about just surviving, but about chasing my dreams, making a legacy for myself and helping women in the same situation,” she declared.
Her Miss Global victory has been exhilarating and humbling. The crown, she admitted, carries significant pressure to represent her country with pride. Battling self-doubt, Ms. Nguyen found the resolve to silence her inner critic. “I came to realize that I should not listen to the voice inside my head telling me to stop. I am living my dreams and I should not give up, no matter what.”
Sharing the platform was Ann Chumaporn, a prominent LGBTQ+ rights activist and co-founder of Bangkok Pride. Ms. Chumaporn recounted her challenging experiences growing up as a lesbian in rural Thailand, describing the suppression she felt unable to express her true identity in a conservative environment. For over a decade, she has championed equality, facing stigma and discrimination personally and professionally.
Her pivotal role as a people’s representative for the recent marriage equality bill brought intense scrutiny and immense gratification. Recalling the parliamentary negativity directed at her, she highlighted the ultimate reward: the bill’s passage and the subsequent surge in registrations by thousands of couples eager to formalize their unions.
Echoing Ms. Nguyen’s message of empowerment, Ms. Chumaporn urged attendees to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. “We all deserve to live a fair life,” she emphasized, extending solidarity and support to women, the LGBTQ+ community, and youth facing violence and injustice.
Ms. Nguyen poignantly linked her experience as a young mother to her heightened empathy and determination to fight for justice. The pain, she explained, became a source of bravery. Her children, she revealed, are her constant motivation, driving her unwavering pursuit of her goals.
In a final resounding call to action, Ms. Nguyen urged all women to embrace their aspirations, regardless of age or circumstance. “Dreams don’t have an expiration date,” she affirmed, using her own life as a testament to perseverance. “Take me as an example. It’s never too late. It’s only late if you don’t try.” The combined message of these two inspiring women left an indelible mark on the Women Vision forum, underscoring the enduring power of resilience, representation, and the pursuit of dreams.
