Miss ASEAN Friendship 2017 kicked off

March 21, 2017 | 17:00

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The Miss ASEAN Friendship 2017 was launched in Vietnam on March 20 to search for the region's next beauty queen.

For the first time, Vietnam is hosting the regional pageant in the central province of Phu Yen from March 1 to July 2, 2017. The internationally recognised event is a good opportunity for Vietnam to showcase its natural beauty and the image of Vietnamese people to neighboring countries and the world.

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marks its 50th anniversary, it is time to reflect on its achievements and challenges to look for the way forward. ASEAN has been successful in maintaining peace, promoting regional cooperation and enhancing community building. In the context of increasing geopolitical uncertainties, ASEAN’s external relations and its unity are more crucial than ever.

Within this context, Miss ASEAN friendship 2017 is not only a beauty contest but also a healthy playground to tighten the relationships and increase cultural exchange among countries of the region. The pageant is part of efforts to preserve and further advance ASEAN as a peaceful, stable and developed region.

To facilitate this goal, the search for the region’s beauty queen centers on natural beauty, friendliness and hospitality. Each contestant will show the organisers their tradition and cultural heritage to win the crown for Southeast Asian beauty.

According to Phan Dinh Phung, deputy chairman of Phu Yen People's Committee, the pageant is not only good for Vietnam but also for Phu Yen to introduce many intact sceneries and its potential tourism sector. Contestants will perform in top destinations of Phu Yen such as Xuan Dai Bay, Ghenh Da Dia, O Loan Lagoon, Mui Dien Lighthouse and Da Bia mountain.

“Miss ASEAN friendship 2017 contains both cultural and political meaning to celebrate 50 years of establishment and development of ASEAN. We are committed to accompanying the organising committee and relevant agencies to hold the pageant successfully,” he added.

The Miss ASEAN Friendship 2017 is organised by Gala Viet Event Organisation and Tourism JSC according to certificate No.779/ GP- BVHTTDL issued by The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Vietnam Investment Review is one of three main media partners for the event.

Application for the pageant will be submitted to Gala Viet Event Organisation and Tourism JSC at 70 Phan Dang Luu street, Danang city (0511 3626 566) or floor 6, P604, 7 Dao Duy Anh, Dong Da street, Hanoi (043 533 5191)

Unlike other pageants, Miss ASEAN friendship 2017 does not have a semi-final round. The organisers started to receive applications from 10 nations in the region since March 20, 2017. The final round is held from June 1 to July 2 and the coronation night is hosted in Tuy Hoa City on July 7.