Miss Grand International 2021: Elevating Vietnamese Culture on the Global Stage
“Miss Grand…,” the announcer pauses dramatically, “Vietnam!” Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien’s knees buckle with disbelief before she quickly regains her composure. Amid swirling confetti, she is crowned Miss Grand International 2021, making history as the first Vietnamese woman to win this prestigious title.
For Thuy Tien, this crown represents more than personal achievement; it is a platform to share Vietnamese culture with the world. “With enough passion and patience, everything is possible,” she asserts. “Dare to dream,” she encourages, highlighting that her journey is proof of the power of dreams pursued with purpose and mindfulness. “Believe in yourself.”
Thuy Tien’s commitment to promoting Vietnam is reflected in her collaboration with Trung Nguyen Legend, a leading Vietnamese coffee producer and distributor. The company exports to markets worldwide, including the US, China, UK, and EU, among others. “I truly appreciate Trung Nguyen Legend’s efforts in sharing Vietnamese culture globally,” says Thuy Tien. “Their passion for coffee and dedication extends beyond their own success to benefit the entire country.”
The Essence of Vietnamese Coffee Culture
Vietnam’s coffee culture is rich and diverse, a fact Thuy Tien is passionate about showcasing. “We have many ways to enjoy coffee in Vietnam,” she explains. Her personal favorite, ca phe sua da—Vietnam’s iconic iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk—brings fond memories of her family.
Introduced by the French in the mid-1800s, coffee has thrived in Vietnam’s ideal climate, making the country one of the world’s top coffee exporters. “Robusta beans symbolize the strength, resilience, and harmony of the Vietnamese people,” notes Duong Hai Dang, Chairman Assistant of Trung Nguyen Legend. These qualities are embodied in the beloved Vietnamese iced coffee.
To encapsulate these virtues, Trung Nguyen Legend’s chairman, Dang Le Nguyen Vu, created a unique coffee meditation practice. This method, aimed at fostering mindfulness and holistic prosperity, draws “inspiration, energy, and wisdom from coffee and its rich heritage,” promoting principles like harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility.
Coffee Meditation: A Harmonious Blend of Tradition and Mindfulness
Thuy Tien, much like the iconic ca phe sua da, represents the charm of Vietnamese culture. “Through our coffee meditation experience,” explains Hai Dang, “we aim to inspire participants to elevate their self-awareness and transform passion into compassion.”
During the half-hour coffee meditation, participants practice mindfulness while their coffee brews. Each sip is savored, reflecting on the resilience of Robusta beans and appreciating the heritage behind every cup, before sharing personal stories over coffee.
Thuy Tien incorporates daily meditation into her wellness routine, alongside Pilates. “Meditation helps me find balance, but ca phe sua da meditation combines mindfulness and energy,” she shares.
Passion and Purpose: Thuy Tien’s Mission
Thuy Tien uses her Miss Grand International platform to nurture compassion and resilience. She launched the ‘Cheer Up’ project to donate play areas to children’s hospitals across Vietnam, lifting the spirits of pediatric patients. Her social media influence encourages organ donation and other acts of giving back to society. Additionally, her STEPbyTIEN project guides students on their post-graduation paths.
Partnering with Trung Nguyen Legend, Thuy Tien promotes the E-Coffee program. This startup franchise model builds on the company’s ‘Journey from the Heart’ program, which gifts books to inspire Vietnamese youth. With 700 outlets currently, Trung Nguyen projects this number to double by summer 2025.
The E-Coffee initiative embodies Trung Nguyen’s strategy to elevate Vietnamese coffee culture, inspired by Japan’s holistic tea ceremonies. This vision combines the physical ca phe sua da, a spiritual meditation practice, and a societal effort to empower the youth.
“When people think of coffee, they will think of Vietnam,” states Dang Le Nguyen Vu, Chairman of Trung Nguyen Legend.
