Miss Universe contest comes back after seven-year hiatus

(From L-R) Duong Truong Thien Ly, second runner-up of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008, Truong Thi May, first runner-up of Miss Vietnam Ethnicity 2007, Nguyen Thuy Lam, Miss Universe Vietnam 2008, Mai Phuong Thuy, Miss Vietnam 2006 and Vu Hoang My, first runner-up of Miss Vietnam 2010 - PHOTO: KIEU GIANG

The 2015 contest will take place over four months in HCMC, Hanoi, Nha Trang and Dalat with a total budget of VND30 billion, organizers told a media conference on Tuesday.

Duong Truong Thien Ly, the second runner-up of the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 and the national director of the Miss Universe pageant in Vietnam, told reporters: “We aim to create a playground for beauties to compete in a fair and professional way.

“Thus, we will gather a professional crew to organize the event. We will also work with LPMG, an independent auditing firm to examine the judging process of the semi-final and final rounds, to have clear and correct results.”

The qualification round will take place in HCMC and Hanoi in June. The semi-final and final rounds will happen in Nha Trang from early July to August. The coronation night will be held at the Crown Convention Center with a capacity of over 7,500 seats. This is also the location of the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 contest.

This year’s contest is open to Vietnamese lasses in the age range of 18 and 25 with an average height of 1.65m and without prior cosmetic surgery. Contestants must hold high-school degrees or above. The winner will represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2015 pageant.

The judging panel has remained unknown.

Vietnam sent some representatives to the global Miss Universe competitions in the past, including Truong Thi May in 2013, Luu Thi Diem Huong in 2012, Vu Hoang My in 2011, Vo Hoang Yen in 2009, and Nguyen Thuy Lam in 2008.