Miss Universe will celebrate its 75th anniversary in Puerto Rico in 2026. The pageant expects up to 120 contestants to arrive from November 8 for training and events, but the participation of Vietnam remains uncertain, making the situation worth following.

Six Southeast Asian nations—Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Laos and Malaysia—are not listed on the official Miss Universe 2026 roster. Their absence is also reflected on the voting platform in Puerto Rico.

The missing entries are linked to a dispute between JKN Universe LLC, the owner of the Miss Universe brand, and Nawat, the head of Miss Universe Eastern. The Miss Universe Organization says Nawat has no legal standing to license the brand in those markets and therefore does not recognize the franchise agreements.

Nawat counters that a 50‑50 co‑ownership structure gives him management rights across 95 eastern territories, including the six countries. The organization says it will pursue all legal measures but maintains that the contestants remain eligible to travel to Puerto Rico.

Because of this legal clash, Vietnam’s spot at Miss Universe 2026 is still in doubt. The final decision will depend on how the ownership dispute is resolved, showing how franchise conflicts can affect a nation’s representation.