Vanquishing the 'Vietnam Curse': Chelsea Fernandez aims to win Miss Cosmo 2025

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December 8, 2025 | 11:31am

MANILA, Philippines — Chelsea Fernandez is currently making waves as the country's representative at Miss Cosmo 2025 in Vietnam. 

The former Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2022 (and The Miss Globe 2022 Top 15) and The Miss Philippines Cosmo 2025 titleholder stunned the crowd with her Sarimanok-inspired costume at yesterday's competition.

Designed by ER Stephen Alvarado, Chelsea wrote on Instagram that her costume at the Vietnam-based pageant "brings Filipino Muslim heritage to life through vibrant rainbow plumage, gold accents, and intricate okir patterns."

Chelsea, from Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, will compete at the second edition of the Miss Cosmo pageant to be held at the Creative Park in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on December 20.

The Mindanao beauty's performance has been earning raves from her fellow Filipinos, but her mysterious non-placements at the Top 5 of the swimsuit and fashion show segments despite strong performances has ignited that fear of the “Vietnam Curse” among Filipino flag bearers and pageant aficionados. 

Consider the dark history of our pageant winners when competing in Vietnam:

Miss Universe 2008: Jennifer Barrientos, from San Mateo, Rizal, was unplaced. Riyo Mori of Japan crowned Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela. Vietnam’s Nguyen Thuy Lam was in the Top 15.

Miss Earth 2010: Psyche Resus, from Infanta, Quezon, was unplaced. Larissa Ramos of Brazil crowned Nicole Faria. Vietnam’s Luu Thi Diem Huong in the Top 14.

Miss Earth 2023: Yllana Aduana was Miss Earth – Air. Mina Sue Choi of South Korea crowned Drita Ziri of Albania. Miss Earth – Water 2023 was Vietnam’s Do Thi Lan Anh.

Miss Cosmo 2024: Ketut Permata Juliastrid from Indonesia was crowned. Vietnam’s Xuan Hanh Bui was in the Top 5. Maria Ahtisa Manalo, surprisingly, ended her stint in the Top 10.

Miss Charm 2023: The first edition was won by Luma Russo of Brazil. The first runner-up was our Annabelle McDonnell. Vietnam’s Thanh Thanh Huyen Dang finished in the Top 20.

The current Miss Charm 2024 is Rashmita Rasindran from Malaysia. Kayla Carter, who replaced Krishnah Gravidez, managed to be in the Top 20. Vietnam’s Quynh Nga Nguyen was second runner-up.

And then at Mister World 2024, Jack Heslewood of England crowned Daniel Mejía of Puerto Rico. The first runner-up was Vietnam’s Pham Tuan Ngoc. The Philippines’ Kirk Bondad ended his run at the Top 20 but he was later crowned Mister International 2025, in Thailand.

Because we never win in Vietnam, will Chelsea finally break the curse?

“It’s my first time to hear about the Vietnam Curse,” Chelsea admitted.

With her strong performances at pre-pageant activities since her sendoff last November 27, Chelsea is raring to add to the Philippines' impressive performance at the pageantry circuit this year that saw several back-to-back wins at Miss Grand International and Face of Beauty International. 

RELATED: WATCH: Miss Cosmo Philippines 2025 Chelsea Fernandez on Filipino youth's role in May 12 elections