From public disillusionment to direct calls for reform, a wave of feedback sent to VietNamNet has exposed growing frustration over the overwhelming number of beauty pageants in Vietnam.

Readers overwhelmingly agree that it’s time to streamline these events, warning that without tighter regulation, the once-revered crown will be reduced to little more than a lackluster stage prop in a crowded, uninspired entertainment space.

Following VietNamNet's previous features - “Six beauty pageants in one month: Fed up with the overload!” and “One pageant every week: Time to streamline” - the public response has been resounding.

Readers expressed deep concern over the devaluation of the “Miss” title, with excessive events making it harder for the public to remember or respect pageant winners.

Public fatigue and sobering warnings

Reader Minh Hoang wrote: “Thanks to this article for voicing what many of us feel. We all love beauty, but too much is just too much. These days, when someone mentions a beauty queen, people ask, ‘Miss what?’ There are just too many. It’s boring. Authorities need to review the current licensing process.”

Echoing this sentiment, Thuan Nguyen Van added: “I urge the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism to take effective action to end the rampant hosting of beauty pageants. It’s exhausting and devalues the Miss Vietnam title.”

One reader bluntly stated: “So many beauty queens now are bland and forgettable. Most people can’t even remember their names or which competition they won.”

Others warned of broader social implications. Reader Truong Tuan Anh shared: “A young girl near my home dropped out of school to pursue a pageant dream and find a wealthy husband. Now, when people hear ‘Miss,’ they just smirk - it no longer carries the respect it once did.”

Nguyen Xuan Manh added: “Scandals are the norm after a crowning. It’s time to clean up this beauty queen chaos!”

From a cultural standpoint, reader Quang Trung commented: “This reflects a troubling societal trend. Vietnamese people seem obsessed with beauty. Every pageant must include a bikini segment because otherwise, audiences lose interest. Young women see pageants as shortcuts to wealth - placing in the top 10 might land them a rich husband, and winning almost guarantees one.”

A question of oversight and intent

Several readers believe that many of today’s pageants have strayed from their noble roots, becoming little more than profit-driven entertainment ventures.

Vu Pham described it as “a kind of reality show, like a traveling fair, where organizers simply fulfill a rich man’s request.”

Reader Hung agreed: “It’s like a made-to-order show. The more pageants, the more money organizers rake in.”

Discontent goes beyond concerns of quality. Readers question the social impact and integrity of these events. “I don’t see any beauty queen making real contributions to the country,” said reader Sy Long. “Wearing a crown, doing charity for publicity - anyone can do that. Where’s the talent in that?”

Hoang Vu offered an alternative approach: “Do any other countries hold as many beauty pageants as Vietnam? We should shift focus to honoring scientists, hardworking students, and soldiers. That’s how we build a stronger nation.”

Questions were also raised about the authorities issuing licenses for these events. Reader Tran Huong asked: “Who’s organizing these shows, and who approves them? Media reports the same problems every year, yet nothing changes. Why not introduce clear, unified regulations to fix this?”

As feedback continues to pour in, one thing is clear: there is a consensus among readers that it’s time to refine and reduce the number of beauty pageants. Only then can the prestigious title of “Miss” reclaim its true meaning. Without action, the crown risks becoming nothing more than an overused accessory in a forgettable show.

Tinh Le