Born in 1982 in Dak Lak , Chu Van An School student Phan Thi Phuong was 1.73 m tall when she was in 11th grade. Not only possessing an ideal height, Phuong also has a very strange beauty and charm...
During a cultural exchange between the school and the border guards, Phuong received an invitation to attend a model training class at the Dak Lak Provincial Cultural Center. And from there, the door opened for her to enter the professional fashion world.
Unlike many young people of the same age who only stopped at the basic steps, Phuong chose to study more deeply. From international fashion show tapes, she diligently studied every movement of the world's supermodels. In 2002, when Phuong was just 20 years old, she won the title of 1st runner-up and the style award of the "Beauty of Dak Lak" contest. From here, the name Phuong Zenana officially appeared. "Zenana" in Indian means boudoir, which Phuong chose as her stage name.
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| Supermodel Phuong Zenana is guiding future models in their first steps. Photo: Character provided |
At the Miss Vietnam 2002 contest, Phuong Zenana quickly created a beautiful image with the media. Although she only stopped in the top 20, Phuong's ao dai performance was highly appreciated by the judges.
Continuing with the ao dai that Phuong herself innovated, combined with tight pants and pointed-toe sandals, helped her become more confident and no longer a "provincial girl" when entering the Vietnam Supermodel contest. Phuong overcame many difficult rounds and won the first prize in the Ho Chi Minh City region, the Silver prize in the 2003 National Supermodel. Phuong Zenana became a familiar name in major shows such as: Vietnamese Charm, Fashion and Life, Long-legged Night...
On the catwalk, Phuong Zenana is considered a potential model with an emotional performance style. She once represented Vietnam at Elite Model Look Asia 2006 in Shanghai (China). In 2008, at the height of her career, Phuong Zenana suddenly "retired" and returned to her homeland to follow her heart.
Although she still dreams of the stage lights and fashion shows, Phuong had to put them aside to spend time with her family.
While staying at home to take care of her children, Phuong still took the time to complete her Bachelor of Laws degree. However, her passion for the profession was always burning within Phuong. She thought: “Dak Lak is not lacking in potential beauties for major beauty contests. It is just a pity that there are no professional model training classes, so those who want to pursue this dream have to go to Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Why do they have to go so far? They have to waste time and money traveling. I can help them realize their dreams…”.
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| Child model Diep Anh - a student of Ms. Phuong - won 3rd runner-up in the 2025 All-round Supermodel Child Contest. Photo: Character provided |
In 2019, Phuong collaborated with the Provincial Cultural Center to open a talent training class for young people who dream of entering the catwalk. To create conditions for children with difficult economic circumstances, Phuong taught 20 boys and girls for free. Right from the first training course, Pham Tran Linh Dan won several awards such as Talented Supermodel, and was able to go to Hanoi to perform.
Phuong's gifted class students are from 4 years old and up. Many parents bring their children to class while waiting to practice, so Phuong guides both the child and the mother. As in the case of Ms. Cao Thuy Lieu, during the process of guiding the mother and child, Phuong saw that she had many strengths, so she encouraged her to participate in the Miss Vietnam Beauty Pageant 2025 and Ms. Lieu won first prize.
In 2023, to give students the opportunity to perform on a big stage, Phuong coordinated with organizations to organize the 2023 The Model Kid Tay Nguyen contest. After that event, she continued to connect with cultural and sports events in the province to create a playground for students. Many events attracted a large audience such as: performing a brocade fashion collection with 50 models aged 4-50 at the 2023 Vietnam Book Day event organized by the Dak Lak Provincial Literature and Arts Association: the program "Cinderella's Dream" held at the Provincial Cultural Center helped 100 students of all ages to freely sublimate...
Many students have shone under Phuong's guidance, such as: H'Rody Byă, a shy girl who was brought by her mother to apply for the program and then became the 2nd runner-up of Miss Ethnic Vietnam 2007. Or recently, Nha Bang won the Model Kids Victory championship; Diep Anh won the 3rd runner-up in the 2025 Supermodel Kids Contest...
Phuong Zenana always encourages her students that: "The most important thing is not the title but to shine in your own way". She also hopes that Dak Lak will have more professionally organized fashion shows; garment companies and businesses can coordinate to promote fashion as well as brocade culture, while giving young people the opportunity to show their talents...
King Zhang Yi
Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202507/ba-bau-cua-nguoi-mau-nhi-f931f46/
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