'Future Designers' contest spreads Vietnamese culture

The contest celebrated young design talents and raised funds by auctioning creative outfits to support disadvantaged children nationwide.

This year’s event featured Jeong Hyeyoung, a Vietnamese-Korean child model who walked the runway in her homeland for the very first time.

The Future Designers contest attracted nearly 1,000 entries from students aged 6 to 15 nationwide, including many from remote areas and children living in special circumstances. The contest was organised by Youth Vanguard and Children Newspaper in collaboration with designer and CEO Yen Ngo of the high-end fashion brand beAnn. The contest acted as an artistic playground and carried a profound educational mission.

With the theme “Imagine yourself as a delegate attending the 10th National Uncle Ho's Good Children Congress and express your love for your homeland through your outfit at the event”, participants conveyed their patriotism through unique and creative designs. Each design told a unique story and reflected the pure yet proud perspective of the young artists on their country.

At the final gala night, 24 of the top 50 excellent designs were brought to life and showcased on a professional catwalk. With unique ideas and emotional messages, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao (Hanoi) and Nguyen Le Thuy Linh (Quang Ninh) won the Special Prize, the highest honour awarded by the Central Youth Team Council. Other promising young faces were also recognised with “Talent” and “Potential” awards, further fuelling their creative journeys.

Among the remarkable faces on the runway, one stood out: a young Vietnamese-Korean girl with a confident walk, professional demeanour, and striking East Asian features, wearing a costume inspired by Dong Ho folk paintings. She was Jeong Hyeyoung, a child model living in South Korea, with Vietnamese heritage and a deep love for her roots.

Born and raised in South Korea, Hyeyoung (Vietnamese name: Hoang Yen) lives with her family in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, about 25 km from Seoul. Currently training and managed by Prankers Korean modleling agency, she has participated in international fashion events such as Shanghai Fashion Week AW2025 and the Prankers Global K-POP Fashion Show 2025. She had always dreamed of performing on a stage in her homeland.

When learning about the Future Designers contest, Hyeyoung expressed her desire to participate and received full support from her family and management company. Undeterred by the distance, she and her mother travelled nearly 3,000 km from South Korea to Hanoi, longing for the opportunity to wear an outfit designed by her Vietnamese peers and walk the stage in her homeland.

Hyeyoung wore a design created by young designer Nguyen Tran Moc Thanh, a design rich in Vietnamese folk spirit, resembling a vibrant Dong Ho painting, brought to life by co-organiser and designer Yen Ngo.

With a confident demeanour, sharp eyes, and attractive charisma, Hyeyoung dominated the catwalk and touched the hearts of hundreds in the audience. More than just a performance, it was a voice of the future generation, one that aspires to preserve and spread Vietnamese culture beyond borders.

Designer Yen Ngo shared, “Working with Hyeyoung for the first time, I was impressed by her professionalism and charm. Though she returned to Vietnam just a few days before the show, she quickly adapted, fully understood the meaning behind the costume, and showcased the vision of both the young designer and myself.”

Journalist Bui Viet Cuong, chairman of the Trade Union of Youth Vanguard and Children Newspaper and head of the organising committee, said, “This tiny Vietnamese-Korean girl brought something truly special to the show. In a space filled with patriotism and national pride, this little girl from a faraway country embodied that spirit through a costume designed by Vietnamese children themselves. I consider this a wonderful spread of Vietnamese culture.”

“It shows that Vietnamese culture, with over more than 4,000 years of nation-building and defence, continues to be recognised by the global community. We have every right to be proud of these cultural values, which can inspire friends around the world.”

All 24 outfits were auctioned to raise funds for the “Wings for Dreams Library” project to support disadvantaged children nationwide.

According to Yen Ngo, Future Designers 2025 is not only a fashion competition but a holistic educational journey aimed at nurturing Vietnamese children in ethics, intellect, physical health, and aesthetics.

The success of the contest reaffirms the vital role of the arts in cultivating love for the homeland and igniting creative potential in the younger generation.

Global fashion retailer H&M announced the opening of its first store in Hue, marking its 14th store in Vietnam.

A bold fusion of elegance and rebellion, the designer's new collection lights up the bridal fashion stage.

The much-anticipated drop promises fresh, sophisticated styles that blend comfort and bold seasonal flair.