The Miss World event began in early September, and the beauty chose to explore Hanoi during her free time, documenting her experiences with local food and everyday life in a series of vlogs that have drawn attention from fans.
The Mexican said she had wanted to visit Vietnam for years but only now got the opportunity.
Her interest grew after watching programs by the late American chef and documentary filmmaker Anthony Bourdain, whose advice to “be a traveler, not a tourist” resonated with her.
Vietnam was among the countries Bourdain spoke fondly of.
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Ponce de León tries Vietnamese iced tea at a street-side stall in the Old Quarter, Hanoi, September 2026. Photo from Vanessa Ponce de León’s Facebook page |
Ponce de León tried Vietnamese coffee and iced tea at street-side stalls in the Old Quarter.
She described Vietnamese coffee as strong and said iced tea appeared to be an integral part of daily life.
She joked that the best seats in Hanoi are often made of plastic and sit just 15 centimeters above the ground.
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At a sidewalk eatery on Hang Dieu Street, she eats pho served on a small plastic stool, September 2026. Photo from Vanessa Ponce de León’s Facebook page |
In another vlog, León documents a day exploring the Old Quarter, visiting an art exhibition, trying grilled pork with rice vermicelli bun cha, banh miand steamed rice rolls Cuon cakeand traveling by motorbike taxi.
“Recording from Vietnam: the people, good chaVietnamese fashion, getting swept up in beautiful things and, inevitably, a motorbike ride. Just another ordinary day in Hanoi,” she writes in the caption.
Vanessa shows off 'a normal day' in Hanoi.
After exploring the capital, she traveled to Sa Pa, dressed casually, posing for photos with locals, and trying traditional clothing worn by ethnic people in the northern highlands.
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Vanessa Ponce de León goes backpacking in Sa Pa after exploring Hanoi, September 2026. Photo from Vanessa Ponce de León’s Facebook page |
In 2018, León, who stands 1.74 meters tall, became the first Mexican to win the Miss World title.
She was the winner of the 2014 “Mexico’s Next Top Model”.
She works as a model, presenter, and speaker and has been involved in social and community projects supporting indigenous children, migrants, and people with disabilities.
Vanessa Ponce de León shared moments from her time in Sa Pa.