In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 15 May 1992
- Birthplace
- Đắk Lắk, Vietnam
- Country
- Vietnam
- Nationality
- Vietnamese
- Known for
- Reaching the Top 5 at Miss Universe 2018 and advocating girls’ education
- Community
- Êđê
- National title
- Miss Universe Vietnam 2017
- Global result
- Top 5, Miss Universe 2018
- Education advocacy
- Room to Read ambassador
Why this life matters
H’Hen Niê made ethnic-minority identity visible in national popular culture while using pageant recognition to support girls’ education and wider social causes.
Timeline
Key moments
Born in Đắk Lắk
Born into an Êđê farming family in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
Entered national modelling television
Reached the final stages of Vietnam’s Next Top Model.
Won Miss Universe Vietnam
Became the first woman from an ethnic minority to win the national title.
Reached the Miss Universe Top 5
Recorded Vietnam’s best result in the competition at that time.
Became a Room to Read ambassador
Supported literacy and girls’ education programmes in Vietnam.
From the Central Highlands to a national title
H’Hen Niê grew up in an Êđê farming family in Đắk Lắk. She continued her education while many girls around her faced pressure to leave school and marry young, then moved to Ho Chi Minh City and entered modelling.
Winning Miss Universe Vietnam in 2017 made her the first woman from a Vietnamese ethnic minority to take the title. Her short hair, public story and Êđê identity also challenged a narrow pageant image of national beauty.
A global result and an advocacy platform
At Miss Universe 2018 in Bangkok, H’Hen Niê reached the Top 5—the highest result achieved by Vietnam at the time. The finish widened her public platform beyond fashion and entertainment.
As a Room to Read ambassador, she supported literacy and girls’ education programmes, including work with secondary-school participants in Vietnam. She has also used public campaigns to address HIV stigma, inequality and human trafficking.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about H’Hen Niê
- Who is H’Hen Niê?
- H’Hen Niê is a model, public advocate and Miss Universe Vietnam 2017. H’Hen Niê made ethnic-minority identity visible in national popular culture while using pageant recognition to support girls’ education and wider social causes.
- What is H’Hen Niê best known for?
- H’Hen Niê is best known for reaching the Top 5 at Miss Universe 2018 and advocating girls’ education.
- When and where was H’Hen Niê born?
- H’Hen Niê was born on 15 May 1992 in Đắk Lắk, Vietnam.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 8 September 2026.
