The final of Mister Global 2026 took place in Thailand on the evening of October 10, with 40 contestants competing for the title. Turkey’s Dilhan Divrikli, 21, won the competition.
The first to fourth runners-up were representatives from Nigeria, the Philippines, Hmong and Venezuela, respectively.
Vietnam’s representative, Truong Trong Hieu, did not make the final top 20 and won no awards.
Truong Trong Hieu said he was disappointed not to have secured an achievement at the contest (Photo: Provided by the contestant).
The result was disappointing for Vietnam, which has previously achieved notable success at Mister Global. Nguyen Van Son won the title in 2015, while Danh Chieu Linh was awarded the crown in 2021 after the original winner relinquished it. Most recently, Le Huu Dat finished fourth runner-up in the 2023 edition.
Reflecting on the competition, Trong Hieu acknowledged some disappointment that the outcome had fallen short of his expectations. However, the model said he did not regard his final ranking as the sole measure of what he had gained from more than 10 days of activities in Thailand.
Representing Vietnam on an international stage, experiencing a professional competition environment and recognising his own shortcomings were all valuable experiences, he said.
Vietnam's representative during the opening group performance (Photo: Provided by the contestant).
Looking back, Trong Hieu said his most memorable moment was shouting “Vietnam” on the international stage. His national costume, titled Vu Hoa Dong Thang, also left a strong impression on him, giving him an opportunity to introduce Vietnamese culture to international audiences through fashion.
Behind the appearances before the audience, he said, was a demanding schedule and the pressure of competing in different rounds. Support from his team and encouragement from Vietnamese audiences helped him complete the journey. Meeting and exchanging experiences with international contestants also allowed him to expand his professional network and gain experience in a competitive performance environment.
After the competition, Trong Hieu identified foreign-language proficiency, communication skills and stage performance as areas he needed to develop further to pursue an international career.
He said preparing for an international competition required more than physical appearance and fitness. It also demanded adaptability, communication skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Truong Trong Hieu's costume on stage (Photo: Provided by the contestant).
Looking ahead, Trong Hieu plans to continue modelling and take part in suitable fashion projects and runway shows. He also intends to maintain his fitness training and improve his professional skills in preparation for future opportunities.
The model thanked his family, team and supporters for standing by him throughout the competition. Although he did not achieve the result he had hoped for, he said his experience in Thailand would help him continue developing and pursuing his chosen career.
Born in 2001, Trong Hieu is from Lam Dong Province and stands 1.85 metres tall. He graduated from Hsing Wu University in Taiwan and has worked in fashion and runway shows, including Taiwan International Fashion Week and Vietnam International Fashion Week.
Before being selected to represent Vietnam at Mister Global 2026, he competed in Manhunt Vietnam 2025, where he won the Manhunt Fitness Model award.
