KATHMANDU: Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha, widely known as Céline Nha Nguyen, has made history as the first and only Vietnamese woman to complete the Seven Summits challenge, conquering the highest peak on every continent. She sealed the achievement on June 12, 2026, with a successful summit of Denali (6,190m) in Alaska, the final peak on her list.

The expedition company, Imagine Nepal, called her accomplishment unprecedented and expressing hope that it will inspire other women to pursue their biggest ambitions and rise above social barriers.

Nguyen's journey began drawing international attention in 2022, when she became the first Vietnamese woman to conquer Mount Everest, standing at 8,848.86 meters in Asia. She went on to complete the remaining peaks, joining an elite group of roughly 100 women worldwide who have achieved the feat. 

Denali is widely regarded as one of the most demanding of the Seven Summits, as climbers must haul their own gear across harsh glacial terrain without the support of Sherpas or porters, unlike on Everest.

Beyond mountaineering, Nguyen practices law in Ho Chi Minh City and is known for an active lifestyle that includes golf, skiing, and skydiving. Reflecting on her journey, she described the accomplishment as built on years of training, setbacks, and the support of those who climbed alongside her.