Miss World Croatia heads to Vietnam with Adriatic conservation message

Ema Helena Vičar

Photos:  Šime Bilić / Branimir Grubišić / PR Miss Hrvatske

ZAGREB, 31 July 2026 – Croatia’s representative at the 73rd Miss World competition, Ema Helena Vičar, will travel to Vietnam on 8 August, where she will join contestants from around 130 countries at one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious international beauty competitions.

The event, which also marks the 75th anniversary of Miss World, will run from 9 August until 5 September, beginning in Hanoi before concluding with the grand final in the coastal city of Nha Trang.

While the competition includes traditional fashion, talent and sports challenges, organisers continue to place strong emphasis on education, social responsibility, humanitarian work and cultural exchange through its long standing Beauty With a Purpose programme.

Vičar, who is a model, entrepreneur and postgraduate student of Luxury Brand Management in Monaco, says she wants to use the international platform to showcase Croatia’s natural beauty and commitment to sustainability.

Ema Helena in Šibenik

A key part of her participation will be her environmental project, Blue Planet: A Purpose for Life, which focuses on protecting the Adriatic Sea by raising awareness about abandoned fishing nets, often referred to as “ghost nets”. The initiative highlights Croatian efforts to recover discarded nets and recycle them into regenerated nylon for sustainable fashion production. Between 2023 and 2025, around 100 tonnes of discarded fishing nets were collected through the featured initiative.

Croatia’s natural heritage will also feature prominently in the competition. During the Top Model event, Vičar will wear a custom designed gown inspired by Plitvice Lakes National Park and Krka National Park, featuring more than 500,000 Swarovski crystals and handcrafted details representing Croatia’s waterfalls and rivers.

She will also compete in the talent category with a lyrical dance performance and take part in public speaking, interview, multimedia and sporting challenges throughout the month long event.

Ahead of her departure, a farewell event was held in Šibenik where Croatia’s official Miss World promotional video was premiered.

The film highlights some of the country’s best known natural and cultural landmarks, including Plitvice Lakes National Park, Krka National Park, Barone Fortress and St Michael’s Fortress, showcasing Croatia’s tourism appeal to an international audience.

Beyond the competition itself, Vičar will participate in charity events, fashion shows, official presentations and cultural programmes designed to introduce participating countries to millions of viewers worldwide. Organisers say Croatia’s participation offers another opportunity to promote the country’s tourism, heritage and environmental initiatives on the global stage.

Before leaving for Vietnam, Vičar said her ambition extends beyond achieving a strong result.

She said she hopes to introduce the world to Croatia through its nature, people and values, while inspiring young people to believe in their dreams