What do water authorities have to do with beauty pageants? The Blue Deal partnership in Viet Nam, called Blue Dragon, was asked by one of the competitors to become her official sponsor.
Earlier this year, Mrs. Lily Vo, a Vietnamese-born entrepreneur now living in the Netherlands, approached the Blue Dragon programme for support in her participation in the Miss Business Global election event, held in Vietnam. Mrs. Vo, a 1979 boat refugee from Viet Nam, wanted to use her platform to promote social and community initiatives, choosing to highlight Dutch water management as part of her campaign.
Nature-based solutions as central message
In collaboration with a former board member of the Dutch water authority Hollands Noorderkwartier, Mrs. Vo contributed to a video showcasing the improvement of the Hondsbossche sea defence, as an example of nature-based solutions. This project exemplifies the innovative water management strategies the Netherlands is known for, and served as a central message during her participation in the Miss Business Global event.
Miss Business Ambassador Global and Miss Business Charity Global
At the final election in late July, Mrs. Vo was crowned Miss Business Ambassador Global 2024 and Miss Business Charity Global 2024, with Dutch Water Authorities proudly supporting her as one of her official sponsors.
This unique collaboration highlights the global relevance of Dutch expertise in water management and its capacity to inspire and support international communities in tackling water-related challenges.