Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H’Hen Nie has been named ambassador of Room to Read, a reputable non-profit organization for improving literacy and gender equality in education in the developing world.

The 26-year-old beauty queen, the first Vietnamese woman from ethnic minority group to win Miss Universe Vietnam, is the first-ever Vietnamese national to represent such an influential organization.

H’Hen Nie is from the Rade ethnic group, who mostly live in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

According to the Room to Read organizing committee, Nie is committed to a personal fundraising of US$22,000 to open a library in Lam Dong Province and to support 50 female Asian and African students to complete secondary school as well as key life skills.

As the organization’s ambassador, H’Hen Nie will take part in several awareness-raising activities in order to give female students opportunities to reach their full potential and contribute to society thanks to the education they receive.

According to Room to Read official website, H’Hen Nie comes from a family of farmers.

“Growing up as an ethnic minority in Vietnam, I have seen firsthand that education is the only way to break the cycle of poverty. I want children everywhere to flourish, dream big and have the resilience to overcome obstacles,” she said.

As reigning Miss Universe Vietnam she has already actively involved herself in several community activities in Vietnam including the “Angel Wish 2” fashion event.

At the August 17 event in Ho Chi Minh City, the young model will be showcasing ao dai – Vietnamese traditional attire, which will be auctioned and the raised money will go to “Angel Wish 2” charity fund to help children in poverty, orphans and the ones with disabilities.

H’Hen Nie has first been introduced to the public after participating in Vietnam Next Top Model 2015, and won Miss Universe Vietnam in 2017.

She will represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2018 and is currently preparing herself for the global competition to perform her best.

Room to Read is an international non-profit organization that seeks to transform lives in low-income countries by aiming at literacy and gender equality in education, mainly that of young girls.

The organization puts emphasis on developing literacy skills and a habit of reading, which many Vietnamese lack.

According to their website, the organization has so far changed lives of 12.4 million children.