Nguyen Thi Ngoc Duyen, from the southern city of Vung Tau, beat more than 50 rivals on Monday night to be named 2016 Miss Global Beauty Queen.

At the announcement in South Korea, the Vietnamese contestant burst into tears when her name was called.

Duyen becomes the first Vietnamese to win an international beauty pageant, following Thuy Van’s effort in being named third runner-up at the Miss International pageant in Japan last year.

She earlier won the bronze prize at the 2015 Vietnam Supermodel contest.

After winning Miss Global Beauty Queen, Duyen expressed her feelings on social media, calling it the best moment of her life and describing how proud she felt to be Vietnamese.

Talking to TuoiTre (Youth) newspaper after the contest, the beauty queen still could not hold back her surprise.

“I’d never thought of this before,” she said. “Joining the competition, I just tried to perform the best I could and learn from other contestants.”

“When my name was called as the winner, I felt so proud as the name of our country was spoken,” she added.

To the 23-year-old beauty, winning the competition is an important landmark in her life and career.

“It’s proved that my effort was not useless,” she said. “Moreover, this is not my victory, it’s a victory for Vietnam, and for people who have loved and supported me.”

A screenshot shows Nguyen Thi Ngoc Duyen bursting into tears on stage.

Duyen carries the Vietnam flag in a parade on the streets of Seoul during the contest. Photo: Duyen's Facebook page

Duyen presents three statues she brought from Vietnam at a charity auction before the final night. The items were sold for 300,000 KRW (more than US$264,000). Photo: Duyen's Facebook page

Duyen (2nd from left) takes selfies with other contestants. Photo: Duyen's Facebook page

Duyen takes a selfie with a contestant at the pageant. Photo: Duyen's Facebook page

Duyen (C) poses with other contestants. Photo: Duyen's Facebook page

Duyen in the Vietnamese ao dai designed by Nhat Dung for her to wear at the competition. Photo provided by Duyen

Duyen in the Vietnamese ao dai designed by Nhat Dung for her to wear at the competition. Photo provided by Duyen

Duyen in the Vietnamese ao dai designed by Nhat Dung for her to wear at the competition. Photo provided by Duyen

Duyen in the Vietnamese ao dai designed by Nhat Dung for her to wear at the competition. Photo provided by Duyen

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