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Sierra Leone’s Miss World 2026 representative, Mariyam Lorba Konneh, has arrived in Vietnam, joining beauty queens from around the world ahead of the 75th Miss World Festival.
Konneh arrived in Vietnam after a long-haul flight and is now taking part in official activities leading up to the global pageant, which brings together contestants from different countries to compete in a month-long programme of competitions, cultural events and humanitarian engagements.
The Miss World 75th Anniversary Festival got underway in Ha Long Bay, Quảng Ninh Province, as contestants began participating in activities designed to showcase their cultures, personalities, social impact initiatives and commitment to humanitarian causes.
Speaking after her arrival, Konneh expressed gratitude to God, her family, friends, the Miss Sierra Leone Board, and the people and Government of Sierra Leone for supporting her journey.
She said she felt “proud and grateful” to represent Sierra Leone on the Miss World stage and pledged to represent the country with dedication and loyalty.
Konneh said her experience so far had included exploring Vietnamese culture and meeting contestants from different parts of the world.
She said her participation was aimed at showcasing Sierra Leone’s “beauty, purpose and intellect” while contributing to efforts to create a world fit for women.
Through her Beauty with a Purpose project, Konneh is seeking to draw international attention to Sierra Leone’s natural heritage, culture and tourism potential, while supporting women and young people through entrepreneurship, skills development and menstrual hygiene initiatives.
The 2026 Miss World programme is expected to feature about 130 contestants from across the world, with participants engaging in various competitions, humanitarian activities, cultural events and official programmes before the grand final.
The final is scheduled to take place in Nha Trang, Vietnam, on September 5.
Konneh, a former AYV Miss University Sierra Leone 2022, is an entrepreneur and final-year Banking and Finance student at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM).
She has also distinguished herself through initiatives focused on empowering women and young people, particularly in the areas of business opportunities, skills development and menstrual hygiene.
With her arrival in Vietnam, Konneh has formally joined the international field of contenders as she begins the next stage of her journey to represent Sierra Leone on one of the world’s most recognised beauty and humanitarian platforms.
