Pageant Day

I woke up early in the morning to pick up Bác Hồng, 1st runner up Mrs. Ao Dai Vietnam Texas 2014. We drove to Santa Clara Convention center by 9 am to be on time if not early. Bac Hong and I were the first ones there with Chieu Quan and her mother coming soon after. We milled around for a bit with the set up crew while other contestants arrives and brought in their wardrobe. Chieu Quan, her mother, and I helped Chi Kha Tu transport costumes, props, and water from her car into the dressing room. Set up has officially begun.

From then until the show started at 3pm, the makeup artist Jacky Tai, hair stylist Anh Son, other musicians were setting up for the pageant show. I was especially happy to see Vovinam come to go over their opening act which I was a part of. We did not have enough time to do a scheduled photoshoot before the show and changed right into our first outfits. Because I was doing the opening act with Vovinam, I would wear a yellow imperial general’s outfit before changing quickly into a white ao dai. Everything went smoothly, packed with colorful clothes and martial arts action.

Afterwards, as I rushed across the stage behind the curtain, I realized that now was the time to put in practice what I had prepared for. Now was the time to put on my best smile and strut my stuff in the name of womxn and the ao dai. And strut I did. I was doing my best to keep my head level through the costume changes, touching up my hair, and studying the questions we would be asked. I thoroughly enjoyed finally being able to see the clothes, or should I say, pieces of art, my fellow contestants would adorn their bodies with throughout the rest of the evening. I also had the comfort of fellow Vovinam students running back and forth backstage.

But the feeling when walking out from the wings of the stage, into the bright lights and cheering of the crowd is something else. As I was walking, I kept in the back of my mind all the things I had learned from Kim Tran, Harry Tran, and Chị Dự. Walk slow, smile bright, and make an impression. What a surprise to see my sister and my friend in the crowd who had made big posters of my face!

As the night drew on, smiles from other contestants and words of encouragement from Jacqueline gave me the strength to pull through. The final portion was to do my Vovinam martial arts routine, which was taught to me by Cô Cẩm Bình and Chị Kim. The most nerve-wracking moments were answering the questions, making the top three, and finally hearing who would be Miss Áo Dài Việt Nam California 2014. Although I had hope and reasoned myself that I had a fair chance at the big crown, I was incredibly surprised when Chị Khả Tú turned to me booming “hai mươi tám!,” my number 28, and announcing that I had won the title.

From then on I did my best to be gracious and be fair for everyone who wanted to have me be in their pictures. I wanted to make sure that my own family did not get mad at me for not taking a picture with them. After most of the buss had gone, I returned to the dressing room to gather my things and meet my family for dinner. It was there that I had the chance to finally take a picture with Chị Khả Tú and exchange a heartfelt thank you to her.

After it all, I am honored to be chosen for the title of Miss Áo Dài Việt Nam California 2014. I will do my best to make the most of what I have and work for the community in a way I have not before. I hope to learn from my mistakes and continue to keep a positive attitude for myself and all those who support me. Thank you for a great learning experience and let’s see what 2014 has in store for us.

Thank You !

In my humble opinion, the best part of this experience is the opportunity to work with so many great people.

First and foremost, I would like to thank Vovinam headmaster, Cô Cẩm Bình for being such an amazing individual who has affected my existence deeply. It is through her martial art guidance and dedication that prompted me to follow through with this pageant. She has been like my second mom and an important pillar to the Vovinam, Vietnamese, and San Jose communities.

Chị Kim Trần was so gracious by coaching me to walk, giving me pageant advice, and letting me borrow the essentials, such as the áo dài, push-up bra, and spandex. Her mother and she went over the questions with me and my success is initially because of these two. Thank you.

Thank you Minh Nguyễn, fellow Vovinam student and Miss Áo Dài Việt Nam Bắc Cali 2013. You gave me a reality check by going over the questions with me and giving me invaluable tips your precious time was a gem. It was also fun catching up with you.

Also a big thanks to Chị Khả Tú for not only loving me but being passionate about every aspect of the show and performance art. I am deeply touched by your outreach and although our personalities clash sometimes, I feel as though you can inspire me in ways no one else can.

Thank you to Chiêu Quân and her mom who was my pageanteer-in-crime and accomplice. I had thought to myself that if I did not get placed, I would have been happy to compete just so then I could meet these ladies. Thank you for your friendliness and clever sense of humor. Your journey is just starting and I hope to stay alongside you throughout.

Mẹ của Chị Khả Tú could be considered the backbone of the production. Her house served as a meeting point for me to get what I needed, whether that be alterations or food for pageant performance day. She would stay up late and get little sleep in order to ensure that people like me had the clothes we needed. A sincere thank you for your kind and diligent soul.

Thank you to Dì Thanh who is always there for me when I need girly things. You are a great support and I am so lucky to have you in my life.

Thank you to my little cousin Lily who provided the earrings I wore that night.

Thank you to Anh Vinh for your hospitality and providing a place for all the womxn to practice our walk. I hope you enjoyed the sword form I shared with you.

Thank you to the other contestants, Trang, Yến, and Thuý Anh and your beautiful souls. I loved sharing smiles, learning from and about each other, and pushing each other to be our best. This pageant happened pretty fast but I hope that we can cross paths again in the future.

Cám ơn Chị Dự. I was starstruck the first times we met and I learned from how I felt you embodied a beauty queen: graceful, gorgeous, gracious. Your coaching was a gem and all the interactions I had with you are precious to me, from grilling seafood to working on dance choreography.

A big thank you to Jacqueline, Miss Áo Dài Việt Nam of Texas 2013 for being a great sister to me. You came in looking to teach us choreography but I appreciated your sincere words of encouragement as well. You are a great example to look to and I deeply thank you for all of your help.

Thank you to Harry, our pageant walking coach and his brother and Anna who came along to practices.

Thank you to Pro Darling Nails who gave me a beautiful french tips and pedicure after understanding my financial and time situation.

Thank you to my Mom and Dad who gave the me all the opportunities that I have today. Furthermore, although I was not sure of your support, the amount I received is appreciated. Thanks Dad for letting me stay out late to do pageant related activities and thank you mom for your acceptance and excitement.

A huge thanks to Vovinam, and more specifically Bill, Nathan, Long, Anh Thong, the Crystals, Loc, Christopher, Amy, and parents. You all are my salvation and seeing you gives me so much happiness, not to mention working on Vovinam with you. The Vovinam family is such a necessary support system that after dedicating the crown to Cô Cẩm Bình, I dedicate my title to you all. Thank you.

Thank you to Jacky Tài for your make-up artistry. While I sat in front of you and your assistant, I learned a bit about you and hope that people like us make it far.

Thank you to Anh Sơn for styling my hair multiple times especially since I was always messing with it between Vovinam performances and different images.

Thank you to Anh Doàn for providing a comedic relief.

Thank you to Anh Phạm Khánh Hưng for your kind smiles and being so gracious to my father who is a big fan of yours.

Thank you to the Santa Clara Convention Center for providing an adequate venue so the show coul be carried out.

Thank you to Dì Năm for letting me borrow you white áo dài! Thanks to Brian for letting me in your house!

Thank you to Backstage Crew for your wonderful work. This production would not be possible without you.

Finally thank you to my sister Belinda and friend Michelle who mean so much to me. Your posters were great and thank you for great pictures. I also looked to you to figure out who I should take pictures with.

A lengthy thank you goes to show how many people were involved in my pageant position. I am blessed to be able to interact with you all and I wish all of us a great journey in life.
Thank you.

(Anna Ngọc Anh Hà )