During her stay in Quang Ninh, the Thai beauty queen visited several destinations and learned about the culture and daily lives of local residents.
Her trip was part of the 73rd Miss World programme, being held in Vietnam for the first time. Alongside the pageant schedule, Opal had the opportunity to explore Quang Ninh.
On August 11, she visited Ha Long Bay for the first time. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its towering limestone islands and distinctive seascape.
Pham Tuan Ngoc, Mister World Vietnam 2024, accompanied her as a guide, introducing the scenery, islands and lives of fishermen in the bay.
Rather than travelling on a modern cruise ship, Opal and Tuan Ngoc opted for a traditional three-plank sailboats, allowing them to get closer to the natural surroundings.
Opal Suchata experiences a traditional three-plank sailboats on Ha Long Bay (Photo: Organisers).
With its distinctive red sails, the three-plank sailboats is a signature tourism product of Ha Long, taking visitors slowly through the heritage site while offering views of limestone mountains and insights into the history of fishing communities.
Against the vast backdrop of Ha Long Bay, Opal watched the sunset and listened to stories about local fishermen. She said the sunset was one of the most memorable moments of her trip.
Earlier, Opal visited the temple dedicated to Duc Ong Tran Quoc Nghien, a cultural and historical site on the shores of Ha Long Bay. The visit gave her an opportunity to learn more about local history and people while taking in the surrounding scenery.
Another stop was the Quang Ninh Museum and Library, a landmark on the shores of Ha Long Bay. Its distinctive black glass exterior evokes coal, the natural resource that has played a central role in the province's development.
At the museum, Opal learned about Quang Ninh's natural environment, history and the cultural diversity of its ethnic communities, including the development of the coal-mining industry.
Opal learns about history, culture and the coal mining industry at the Quang Ninh Museum and Library (Photo: Organisers).
She also learned about Yen Tu, a spiritual and historical area closely associated with the Tran dynasty and the development of the Truc Lam Zen tradition.
After several days exploring the province, Opal praised its landscapes and people. Asked how she would introduce Quang Ninh to international friends, she responded enthusiastically in Vietnamese: "Quang Ninh dep qua, rat dep!" ("Quang Ninh is so beautiful, very beautiful!")
After the journey, Opal praised the scenery and people of Quang Ninh (Photo: Organisers).
The reigning Miss World said Vietnam's appeal lies not only in its ao dai, conical hats, cuisine and landscapes, but also in the spirit, resilience and hospitality of its people.
Opal's itinerary offered a glimpse of the different layers of Quang Ninh. Ha Long Bay may be the province's most recognisable attraction, but its coastal heritage sites, fishing-village memories, mining culture and the spiritual landscape of Yen Tu offer further insights into the region.
Quang Ninh was also showcased throughout the 73rd Miss World activities held in the province from August 8 to 12, putting its landscapes and culture before an international audience.