Miss Grand International 2021 Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien poses for a photo as the tourism ambassador for Taiwan in Vietnam. Photo from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Vietnam
Speaking to Dantri/Dtinews Newspaper, Derek Chou, Chief Representative of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Vietnam, stated that Thuy Tien’s current contract as a tourism ambassador will conclude in May and will not be extended.
According to Chou, the bureau has been made fully aware of the public controversy involving the Kera vegetable candy product, which is linked to Thuy Tien, through various media reports. Since March, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has not engaged in any commercial promotion activities featuring Thuy Tien in her capacity as tourism ambassador.
When asked to evaluate her performance over the past year, Chou remarked that Thuy Tien had fulfilled her responsibilities in a professional manner. However, he acknowledged that the recent incident had negatively impacted the positive image she had built during her tenure.
“Every year, we select a new face to represent Taiwan’s tourism. Therefore, we have no plans to extend our contract with Thuy Tien. A new tourism ambassador is expected to be announced in June or July,” he added.
In October 2024, Miss Grand International 2021 Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien was appointed as the tourism ambassador for Taiwan in Vietnam, with the aim of promoting tourism and cultural exchange between the two destinations.
At the official announcement event, Thuy Tien expressed her honour at taking on the role and her desire to serve as a cultural bridge between Vietnam and Taiwan, helping to introduce Vietnamese culture to international friends in Taiwan.
According to data from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in 2024, Taiwan was the third-largest source of international tourists to Vietnam, with 1.28 million arrivals – a 51 percent increase compared to the previous year. However, the number of Vietnamese visitors to Taiwan has slightly declined, largely due to changes in visa policies.
Earlier this April, Thuy Tien was fined VND25 million (approximately USD1,000) for making false advertising claims regarding the Kera vegetable candy product.
