Her journey began with a camera and a question. For Mongkoutphet Hanesana, Miss World Laos 2026, these two things have led to the same destination: using storytelling to help communities preserve their identity and shape their future.

Long before becoming Miss World Laos, Hanesana was passionate about documentary filmmaking. That passion first took her to the Katang indigenous community in southern Laos, where she produced a film highlighting the village’s centuries-old weaving traditions. The documentary introduced the artisans’ work to a broader audience, drawing new attention to a craft that had quietly been fading.

When she recently returned to the same village, it wasn’t simply to revisit old memories. She came back to witness what had changed and to help write the next chapter.

The transformation was impossible to miss.

Just two years ago, many of the village’s women were considering giving up weaving as younger generations drifted away from the tradition. Today, the number of active weavers has grown, offering renewed optimism that one of the community’s most treasured cultural legacies can survive for generations to come.

For Hanesana, that progress reinforced a belief she has carried throughout her journey: stories can do much more than document reality. They can inspire.

Returning as Miss World Laos 2026, she expanded her work through her Beauty With a Purpose project, Voice of Hope. Alongside filming a new documentary, she organized a workshop for the village’s women’s weaving group, encouraging participants to see their craftsmanship not only as a source of income, but also as an important cultural asset worthy of protection.

The sessions focused on helping artisans recognize the value of their traditional knowledge, including a better understanding of intellectual property rights and the importance of preserving their heritage in a rapidly changing world.

The project aims to give communities the tools to protect it.

“For me, storytelling is about giving communities a voice, inspiring pride in their identity, and creating opportunities that allow culture to live on.”

That philosophy sits at the heart of Voice of Hope, where filmmaking, education, and community empowerment work together toward the same goal: ensuring that local voices are heard and valued.

For Miss World Laos 2026, it has become a mission to make sure those stories continue to be told.

We will see her in Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, where she will get the chance to share her own story with the world.