In fiery red and beaming with happiness, Nguyen Huong Giang won the crown of the famed transgender beauty pageant Miss International Queen 2018 -- held last week in Pattaya -- in front of a cheering crowd within Miss Tiffany's Show Theatre, which has been home to this competition since its beginning in 2004.
To date, the 27-year-old Nguyen -- a singer and celebrity in her country -- is the first Vietnamese to ever enter the top three on the Miss International Queen stage, and the first Vietnamese to walk away a winner of the competition.
After the show, the newly crowned beauty was swarmed by fans and media onstage. Nguyen shared a laugh with her fellow contestants and runners-up. Then, a picture-perfect moment came when the beauty queen had her arms tight around her beaming parents. The mother was kissing her on the cheek; the father was raising the golden trophy high, a proud smile lighting his face.
But things haven't always been this perfect, said Nguyen during a post-show interview with Muse. She had her hands around her trophy of a lady with butterfly wings, a glistening crown perched on her head, when she shared a story of her rocky journey to the top.
"Ever since I was young, I've never thought of myself as a boy," said Nguyen. "I used to dream of wearing a fishtail dress. My hand was holding a microphone. And after I woke up, I realised I wanted to be like that, to grow up to become a girl -- a good, beautiful girl."
Born and raised in Hanoi, Nguyen said that although she realised at a young age who she is and wanted to be, it wasn't something her parents -- now all smiling and proud -- were accepting of in those early days.
"They didn't accept me," said Nguyen. "I eventually had to come to Thailand alone to get a sex-change operation. It was really dangerous and painful to come here all alone. And I was wondering why family wouldn't stay beside their children when they need them the most?"
The disapproval and general challenges didn't stop Nguyen from trying to pursue her dream. She has participated in local TV shows such as Vietnam Idol and Dancing With The Stars. She also won The Amazing Race Vietnam Season 3 in 2014. In her country, she's a singer, celebrity and idol to many. Her Facebook account has over 529k followers.
"My parents later apologised when they realised that I can still be successful and be a good person regardless of my gender," said Nguyen. "They've supported me ever since."
On the Miss International Queen stage, aside from taking home the crown, Nguyen also won best talent for her performance of Hush Hush; Hush Hush by The Pussycat Dolls, as well as most popular introductory video, which has garnered over 261k views on YouTube.
Upon winning the prestigious pageant, Nguyen stated that she hopes this can become a platform to raise the visibility of transgender people around the globe, especially in her own country.
"I want everybody to give transgender people a chance so they can be stronger; they can go to work and school like a normal person. If you want to be happy, transgender people want to be happy, too."
The transgender rights situation in Vietnam has seen a steady improvement in recent years. In the past, sex reassignment surgery was illegal in the country, and Vietnamese transgender people who sought operations were forced to do so outside of their own country. Thailand, of course, was one destination that many, Nguyen included, have chosen for undergoing this part of their transition.
In November 2015, the Vietnamese National Assembly finally lifted a ban on sexual-reassignment surgery and also allowed those who have undergone a surgery to register under their preferred gender. The law went into effect in January last year.
This legal advancement, while a very welcome change, still leaves room for growth. Nguyen said that one of the problems that persists today for transgender people is the employment issue. The law has yet to protect transgender people from discrimination.
"I have to say, life can be pretty difficult for transgender people," she said. "Transgender women want to look like women. They want to have long hair and wear dresses. And if they do that, they cannot go to school. They cannot get good work. Many of them end up working on the street."
"If all the world can see a Vietnamese transgender like me become successful like this, why not give Vietnamese transgenders a chance?" she asked.
Unlike many of her fellow contestants, Nguyen said she had no background in beauty pageants, as this is not something Vietnam is really accepting of.
"I'm not Miss Transgender in my country. I'm just a singer. But I came here with my dreams, hoping that transgender people can have better work and life."
She said she wishes there were more professional competitions such as this in Vietnam, or more activities for transgender people to join in order for them to gain a real sense of community. Eventually, her ultimate hope for the country is for everyone, regardless of gender, to be able to get married, find good jobs and improve their overall quality of life.
Following her win, Nguyen hopes to return to Vietnam, where she plans to do her best to help people become more open-minded and accepting toward the transgender community.
Nguyen Huong Giang waves to the crowd after accepting the crown from past winner Jiratchaya Sirimongkolnawin of Thailand. Patipat Janthong
Nguyen during the swimsuit round of the competition. Patipat Janthong
Nguyen, centre, first runner-up Jacqueline, right, and second runner-up Rinrada Thurapan, left. Patipat Janthong
Nguyen embraces her parents following her crowning moment. Patipat Janthong
The queens were busy backstage making sure they looked their best before appearing. Patipat Janthong
Right before the results were announced, Nguyen holds hands with Australian representative Jacqueline, first runner-up. Patipat Janthong
One of the most anticipated parts of the show was the presentation of national costumes from 27 different countries. Patipat Janthong
One of the most anticipated parts of the show was the presentation of national costumes from 27 different countries. Patipat Janthong
