Miss Mexico to return to Vietnam

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17:15′ 16/09/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Elisa Najera, the fourth-place beauty in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, will return to Vietnam this October to advertise a new collection of jewelry. Miss Mexico said she is very happy because she left a good impression on Vietnamese people. She said: “I’ll return to Vietnam to advertise a jewelry brand. I know many Vietnamese people still remember me.” In the recent Miss Universe 2008 pageant in Vietnam, Najera won Best in swimwear and was a top contender for the Miss Universe 2008 crown. Before leaving Vietnam, Najera said she would bring ao dai to her home country and wanted to buy one for her mother. Though the Mexican girl didn’t win the crown, she helped advertise the image of Mexico to the world. Najera will give the crown to the winner of the Miss Mexico 2008 pageant on September 20. (Source: VNE)

Miss Universe contestants try on ao dai

16:06′ 19/06/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – On their second day in Vietnam, competitors in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant tried on the traditional Vietnamese dress, ao dai. Over 50 girls who came to HCM City on the first two days were measured and tried on ao dai, which were designed by four Vietnamese designers, Vo Viet Chung, Thuan Viet, Sy Hoang and Lien Huong. Each designer is in charge of taking body measurements and preparing ao dai for 20 competitors. Thuan Viet said on June 18 he got measurements and tried ao dai on 11 candidates from France, Indonesia, India, El Salvador, etc. He said most of the girls were very beautiful in Vietnamese ao dai because they have standard body measurements. “Miss India was the best in ao dai,” he said. These ao dai will go to the stage with competitors on the night of June 24 in HCM City in the ao dai competition. On June 18, many more competitors arrived in HCM City, including Miss Japan, Miss China, Miss Germany, Miss Colombia, etc. The final competitors will arrive in HCM City today, June 19, including many Asian beauties, such as the competitors from South Korea and the Philippines. A welcome party will be held on June 20 in the evening, with the presence of Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori. Some competitors in HCM City on June 18: Miss El Salvado and Miss Sri Lanka Miss Curacao and Miss Costa Rica Miss Bolivia and Miss Denmark Miss Mexico and Miss South Africa Miss Norway and Mis Pueto Rico Miss Sri Lanka and Miss Switzerland Miss Turks & Caicos and Miss Dominica Miss Trinidad & Tobago and Miss Georgia Miss Greece and Miss Malaysia

Nine minutes to advertise Vietnam at Miss Universe 2008

Nine minutes to advertise Vietnam at Miss Universe 2008

17:34′ 04/04/2008 (GMT+7)

Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori VietNamNet Bridge – Images of Vietnamese landscapes from the north to the south will be shown during the live broadcast of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant on American TV channel NBC. It is estimated that over one billion people will watch the event. Vo Thanh Trung, representative of the Miss Universe 2008 organising board, said they are waiting for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to approve the content of this 9-minute clip to send to NBC. “This is a rare opportunity to advertise Vietnam’s images to the world,” said Nguyen Cong Khe, Editor-in-chief of Thanh Nien newspaper, the information sponsor of Miss Universe 2008. International competitors will go to Vietnam on June 15. In the next 30 days, they will participate in various social and cultural activities such as paying a visit to the Presidential Palace, the Prime Minister’s office, taking part in parades on the roads of Hanoi and Nha Trang city, visiting some social and charity organisations, participating in a fashion show of Vietnamese ao dai and traditional costumes of other nations, and a charity auction of gifts. At this moment, over 40 girls from 40 countries and territories have registered for the pageant. The list of competitors will be finalised one month before the contest takes place. It is expected that over 80 beauties will participate in the event. Vietnam’s representative will be announced on May 31. The crown for Miss Universe 2008 will be designed and produced by Vietnam’s Phu Nhuan Jewelry Company, and cost around $250,000. Hoan Vu (Universe) Company, the organiser, has invested $15 million in this competition. The organisers report that logistic preparations for the pageant are nearly completed. The construction of a media centre of nearly 2,000sq.m in area with modern equipment is finished and equipment is being installed. The major palace for Miss Universe 2008 pageant on 10,000sq.m at Diamond Bay tourist site in Nha Trang city, named Crown Convention Centre, is under construction, including the major stage for the final round of 1,500sq.m with 7,500 seats. It is scheduled that this $7 million project will be finished on May 30. The final night of Miss Universe 2008 will take place at 9pm, July 14 in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam. Over 800 journalists from all over the world will go to Nha Trang city, where the beauty contest is being held, to cover the event. (Source: VNE)

Dressing Miss Universe

Dressing Miss Universe

Renowned Vietnamese designer Vo Viet Chung speaks with Thanh Nien Daily about creating traditional ao dai for the upcoming Miss Universe 2008 pageant.

Thanh Nien: So far, how many ao dai (traditional Vietnamese tunics) have you been working on to complete the Miss Universe 2008 collection? Vo Viet Chung: My collection will have over 85 ao dai and I have been working with 30 artisans and staff to make the last dozen. The Miss Universe 2008 contestants will try them on as soon as they arrive in Vietnam next month. It is said that your collection costs hundreds of thousand of dollars. Is that true? Many people have asked me that question. Two ao dai from Vo Viet Chung’s Miss Universe 2008 collection But to tell the truth, it is invaluable. I say this because it not only takes money, time and effort, but also our great endeavor. My staff have been working on the collection since last November, when the Vietnamese hosting committee appealed to designers. I am a perfectionist and I can’t accept anything less than the best. The competition must have been stiff to become the official ao dai designer for the prestigious pageant. Are you feeling the pressure yet? Besides me, four other designers desired to dress the beauties. Hosting the Miss Universe 2008 pageant is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Vietnam to promote its charming image. My colleagues and I have a burning dream of contributing to the event as well as to our national pride by introducing to the world our spectacular traditional long tunics. Finally, I became the pageant’s official ao dai sponsor. The Vietnamese hosting committee signed a contract with me on May 19. The organizing board is allowing me to make all decisions related to my designs. Their respect makes the pressure greater. What gave you the courage to make such an expensive collection six months before you were legally recognized as the official pageant designer? Competition is harsh in the fashion industry, especially on a world-class stage, but I always had a belief that I would be chosen. I am confident in my creativity and prestige as well as my products’ value. It’s not the money or effort, but the challenge to satisfy the country’s expectation. There are over 85 ao dai in the collection. It is hard to believe that a designer could make each one different from the others in such a large collection. Were you afraid of repeating the styles and techniques? Even though it is a big collection, I have had over six months to create it. The time was long enough for my creativity and for my research on the contestants’ countries and cultures. Over 80 contestants will be arriving from different ethnic backgrounds. I had to read numerous documents to find out what the most outstanding features of these countries were. I also had to look at the traditional clothes of these countries and then filter the most special things to use in my ao dai collection. I want to showcase to the world the international value of the traditional Vietnamese gown showing its charm of both traditionalism and modernism. Until now, you have not met with any of the contestants to measure them. How can you be sure they will fit them? It was very hard for me to get accurate measurements for all of the contestants from the organizing board. I also had to seek information about the colors of their skin, hair and eyes to choose the most suitable materials. However, the title beauties have standard measurements and I used international-quality elastic material to make dresses that can fit any form. It’s not difficult at all to design an ao dai to flatter a woman’s curves, especially for the most beautiful women in the world. The contestants will feel exceptionally comfortable wearing the dresses on stage. Reported by Luu Hong

Over 1,000 girls register for Miss Vietnam

Over 1,000 girls register for Miss Vietnam

15:43′ 21/05/2008 (GMT+7)

The three top beauties at Miss Vietnam 2006 pageant VietNamNet Bridge – To celebrate the 20th year of Miss Vietnam pageant, the contest this year will feature many new items, including the grant of a rotational crown worth $15,000. The crown is a gift from the Saigon Jewelry Company. Three crowns made of silver and sapphire will be granted to the top three beauties as souvenirs. Other new things of Miss Vietnam 2008 include an online poll on the official website of the pageant, which is designed by tamtay.vn; and questions for the final competitors will be selected from a question-raising contest organised by the organiser, Tien Phong Newspaper. The final night of the contest will take place at the Hoai River Square in the ancient city of Hoi An this August. A floating stage of 500sq.m will be built on the Hoai River, plus a backstage area of 300sq.m and space for 5,000 seats. The organising board will present Miss Earth, Miss Sea, Best Ao Dai, Best Skin, Best Performance and Best Answer prizes. VND200 million will be extracted from ticket sales to present to charity funds in the central province of Quang Nam, which is hosting the final night. Miss Vietnam pageant is held every two years. The message for this year’s contest is “Towards the community, Friendly to humankind – Harmonise with nature”. Besides money prizes from the organising board, Miss Vietnam 2008 will receive a special gift from Pacific Airlines: she can fly free of charge as often as she likes with Pacific Airlines on both local and international routes for two years, till her crown is transferred to the next Miss Vietnam. The three top beauties will also receive health insurance for two years, worth VND3 billion/year for Miss Vietnam 2008 and VND1 billion/year each for the first and second runners-up from the BIDV Insurance Company. Tran Minh Ca, Vice Chairman of Quang Nam province, said the province has over 3,500 rooms of 2-5 star standard to serve visitors during the contest. (Source: VNE, TP)

Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 set to shine

Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 set to shine

Thuy Linh, one of the contestants of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 More than 100 candidates will compete for the crown of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 slated to take place from May 24-31 in Nha Trang Town’s Vinpearl Land, the event hosts announced.

Organized by Ho Chi Minh City Television, Unicorp., and Cat Tien Sa Company, the semifinal round of the beauty contest is scheduled for Saturday. Contestants will perform in categories of Ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress), swimsuits, and evening gowns. In addition to prizes for Beauty Queen and First and Second Runners-Up, worth VND210million (US$13,125), VND180 million ($11,250) and VND125 million ($7,812) respectively, the organizers will also honor Miss Congeniality, Miss Ao Dai and Miss Photogenic, among others. The winner of Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 will receive a diadem worth $12,000 and represent Vietnam at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, scheduled to be held in Nha Trang in July. The grand finale will be broadcast live via HTV9 television channel on May 31. Reported by Da Ly

Miss Universe charity auction to open in HCMC

Miss Universe charity auction to open in HCMC

(R-L) Miss Vietnam Thuy Lam, Miss USA Crystle Stewart and Vietnam’s first runner-up Thien Ly pose at HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport on Tuesday All the Miss Universe contestants will appear together for the first time next Monday, June 23, at a Thanh Nien charity auction and gala dinner in Ho Chi Minh City.

The beauties will auction off about 50 gifts, which they have brought from their home countries, to raise money for disadvantaged Vietnamese students. The auction will be divided into four shifts, with no starting prices and over 400 participating guests present to bid. A large painting signed by the 81 beauties will be auctioned at the gala, which is sponsored by Four Seasons group, Nghia Pincers Mechanic Company, and Sheraton Hotel. (L-R) Miss Russia, Miss Ukraine and Miss Guam on their arrival at HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat Airport on Tuesday The event, to be held at the five-star Sheraton Saigon Hotel in District 1, will also present the contestants joining in performances and dancing with famous local entertainers. The show director, Vu Thanh Vinh, said, “We aim to create a cozy and friendly atmosphere for the multi-national representatives to feel at ease with one another and enjoy the hospitality of Vietnamese culture.” Anyone interested in attending the gala and auction to raise funds for Nguyen Thai Binh Scholarship Fund, please contact Thanh Nien Communications JSC, 287 Ly Thuong Kiet St., Dist. 11, or call (08) 866 9842. In related news, tickets for the June 24, HCMC Hoa Binh Theater, Charming Ao dai show, in which the 81 women will parade in Vietnamese traditional long tunics, are available for VND150,000-750,000 (US$9-45) at 240 Ba Thang Hai Street, Dist. 10 or at 248 Cong Quynh St., Dist. 1. Reported by Do Tuan – Da Ly

Miss Universe 2008: Profiles

Miss Universe 2008: Profiles

Contestants of Miss Universe 2008 pose at Saigon Factory Outlet Mall in Binh Duong Province during their shopping trip Sunday morning Eighty contestants from around the globe participated in the pageant’s opening ceremony on Saturday at the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and had a swimsuit shoot at their New World Hotel Saigon residence.

Thanh Nien spoke to a few of the enchanting beauties to find out about their aspirations. Promoting her country’s image At a height of 1.78-meter tall with a flawless complexion, Miss Thailand Gavintra Photijak attracts locals’ attention for resembling Ha Kieu Anh, one of Vietnam’s former beauty queens. The 21-year-old Public Relations student at Bangkok University expresses hope that more resplendent pagodas and grand bridges will be built in her country to broadcast the image of Thailand to the rest of the world. Dynamic beauty Behind her gentle and charming smile, Miss Belgium Alizee Poulicek has a strong personality and is keen on sports such as horse riding, jogging and aerobics. Her other hobby includes traveling and discovering new places. The 20-year-old girl, who is of Belgian and Czech origins, had lived in the Czech Republic before returning to Belgium six years ago. She hopes to pursue a successful career in media, fashion and acting. Passion for food Mexican beauty Elisa Najera, who possesses dreamy eyes, is very passionate about cooking. Currently studying food processing at university, Najera plans to run a restaurant with her mother, who is a chef, after graduation. “I will use what I learn from school to make delectable, nutritious and affordable dishes,” she said. Other contestants A psychology student, Dasa Zivkovic from Montenegro in southeastern Europe easily creates a good first impression. She can sing well and said she is mesmerized by Oriental music. “This pageant is my first major trial and presents a golden opportunity to prove myself, whatever the results may be,” she said. Miss Egypt Yara Naaom is strikingly beautiful. At 1.76-meter tall, she is a part-time model who starred in a major film last year. A senior at the Institute of Cinema in Cairo, the 20-year-old girl dreams of achieving success in set designing. Paraguayan beauty Giannina Ruffinelli, a21-year-old psychology student, aspires to run her own clinic to help the poor after graduation. Indian contestant Simran Kaur Mundi, 1.80 meters in height, is a 22-year-old graduate who works with a cinema chain in Mumbai. She has great confidence in herself and loves listening to music, reading, composing poems, drawing and playing basketball. Donning ao dai All the contestants have marveled at the bewitching, demure beauty of the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress). While trying on the outfit to prepare for Thanh Nien’s charity show Duyen dang ao dai (Charming ao dai) tomorrow, Jenyfeer Mercelina from Curacao, an island nation in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea, was so mesmerized with her first ao dai that she did not want to take it off and also asked to try on several others. The beauty with seductive curly hair dubbed the ao dai “a friendly costume.” Miss South Africa Tansey Coetzee, who said this was her first trip abroad, called the outfit the “magic ao dai.” “The outfits fit us perfectly and accentuate our beauty regardless of our nationalities,” she said. “Whatever the outcome of the contest may be, the memories of this pageant, including putting on the ao dai, will never fade from my mind.” Indonesia’s representative Putri Raemawasti was also enthralled by the costume, particularly its intricate hand-embroidered patterns. She ordered famed local designer Thuan Viet to make some ao dais for her and presented Viet with a traditional Indonesian paper fan with her autograph in appreciation of his efforts. Vietnamese culinary delights Miss Russia Vera Krasova is so excited about sampling Vietnamese cuisine that she insisted Miss Vietnam Nguyen Thuy Trang guide her around HCMC and introduce local dishes to her. Krasova’s favorite Vietnamese dishes thus far are pho (beef or chicken noodles), banh cuon (rice flour pan-cake with meat fillings), banh xeo (rice crepe) and lau mam (a hot pot soup of salted fish cooked with vegetables). The 20-year-old architecture student has worked at a housing and utilities office in Moscow since last year and is also a model. A total of 80 Miss Universe contestants are staying at HCMC’s New World Hotel Saigon from June 17-24, before flying to Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Nha Trang on June 25, 26, 27 and 29 respectively. The pageant’s grand finale will be held at Nha Trang’s Diamond Bay Resort on July 14. Reported by Da Ly-Danh Nghi

Miss Venezuela shines in ao dai

Miss Venezuela shines in ao dai

(26-06-2008)

Pretty as the picture: Dayana Mendoza, Miss Venezuela, is ecstatic after winning the ao dai contest at HCM City’s Hoa Binh Theatre on Monday. — VNS Photo Minh Quoc

HCM CITY — Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza offered a sneak peek at her prowess on Monday night, winning the Best of Miss Ao Dai title at a contest in HCM City.

The show saw all 80 Miss Universe contestants draped in the flowing traditional Vietnamese garment, ao dai, at the Hoa Binh Theatre.

Divided into four groups, they were draped by Sy Hoang, Vo Viet Chung, Lien Huong, and Thuan Viet, four of the country’s most celebrated designers.

Miss Viet Nam, Miss India, Miss Thailand, and Miss Kazakhstan were the four semi-finalists who were pipped to the title by Dayana.

The designers used traditional fabrics like silk, lace, and velvet in their collections. Sy Hoang’s called his collection Viet Nam’s Ao Dai, Lien Huong called it Mua Huong Sac (The Season of Beauty), Vo Viet Chung called it Chan Dung Au-A (Portraits of Europe and Asia), and Thuan Viet called it Tinh Hoa Hoi Tu (Integration of the Best),

The contest was shown live on Viet Nam Television 1, giving viewers a taste of what is in store next month.

“It was wonderful tonight,” Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organisation, said.

“The girls all look very beautiful and Viet Nam’s ao dai is so unique and attractive. We love it.”

It was the last engagement in the city for the beauties who have moved northward. Yesterday they went on a parade in Hoi An on pedicabs flying their national flags and symbols and led by last year’s Miss Universe, Japan’s Riyo Mori.

They also had the opportunity to relax and take in the town’s centuries-old atmosphere at a musical performance.

After Hoi An and Da Nang, the 80 contestants will go on to the capital Ha Noi, where they will be received by the country’s leaders, and Ha Long Bay for a look at Viet Nam’s most well-known landscape.

In Ha Noi, the beauties will attend a reception jointly hosted by ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture, Sports and Tourism at Deawoo Hotel.

Ambassadors from those countries being representated at Miss Universe 2008 will be also invited. Titled “Ambassadors’ Gala Dinner” the reception will be held to promote cultural exchanges between Viet Nam and the rest of the world. — VNS

Miss Universe 2008: working schedule finalised

Miss Universe 2008: working schedule finalised

14:57′ 09/06/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – The organising board of Miss Universe 2008 pageant has completed the working schedule for competitors from June 17 to July 14 in Vietnam. According to the schedule, international beauties will participate in many fashion shows in big cities of Vietnam. On June 21, they will attend a fashion show and a red-carpet party in HCM City. On June 22, they will model traditional Vietnamese clothes, and on June 24, Vietnamese ao dai. These two events will be aired live. In the central ancient town of Hoi An, 80 beauties will take part in a street parade on June 25. In Hanoi, they will join a party called “Ambassadors’ Night”. They will go to Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province after that to take a boat trip and participate in a charity gift auction. During this tour, the NBC channel will shoot a 9-minute clip to advertise Vietnam. After the tour to Ha Long city, competitors will come back to the coastal city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province to perform in swimsuits on July 2 and prepare for the final night on July 14. From July 2-14, contestants will attend many events in Nha Trang city. Vietnam has nearly completed preparations for the beauty contest. The press centre has welcomed the first foreign journalists. Nearly 400 experts of the Miss Universe Organisation (MUO) have been working in Vietnam since late May. The major stage of over 1,000sq.m for Miss Universe 2008 contest in Nha Trang was decorated on June 8 by MUO’s experts. Vietnamese bamboo trees are the key image to decorate the stage. The stage’s background will be changed continuously with Vietnam’s symboles, from Thap Rua (Turtle Tower) to Khue Van Cac in Hanoi, from Dong Son bronze drums to Nha Trang sea and Ha Long Bay and Vietnam’s images captured by NBC cameramen. The major stage will be completed before June 30 to serve training activities for over 80 competitors from July 2-7. V.Tien

One step closer

One step closer

Anh Quan and Quynh Huong hosted the Supermodel Contest 2008 in April in Ho Chi Minh City Local masters of ceremonies (MC) Anh Quan and Quynh Huong speak to Thanh Nien Daily about the exhilaration and pressure of hosting the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 grand finale tonight.

Thanh Nien: You have hosted many beauty contests. Are there any differences you see in the organizing of the Miss Universe Vietnam (MUV) pageant compared to others? Anh Quan: I am lucky to have acted as an MC at several beauty contests including Miss Earth 2007’s Special Contest in Vietnam, Miss Jewelery 2007, Miss Vietnamese Photogenic 2007 and the Supermodel Contest 2008, among others. Each contest was different purposes and characteristics. But at the MUV pageant, I see the organizers and judges have to work very seriously to choose an ideal beauty who will represent Vietnam at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant to be held for the first time in the country in July. Organized by Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV), the Cat Tien Sa Company and Unicorp., the pageant’s grand finale is scheduled to be broadcast live via HTV9 at 8:30 p.m. tonight. The prestigious organizers are all ready for the crown night despite having little time for preparation. Famous singers and artists are also set to entertain the audience. The finale contest, however, will be held at Nha Trang’s beautiful island resort Vinpearl Land. The transport, therefore, will be a little bit inconvenient, which might influence the number of audience members who come for the show. How will you handle the pressure of entertaining and what will you wear? Anh Quan: I have such a great colleague, Quynh Huong, who has been my partner for several other large-scale programs. Huong and I will wear Ao dai in addition to the Western-styled dress and vest. Ao dai for women is very common, but this time, I want to showcase Ao dai for men. Wearing the traditional long tunic, I feel more confident and proud of our country’s value. We want to express our pride in contributing to the country on its first time hosting this prestigious international pageant. I feel no pressure other than how to express my gratitude for such a wonderful chance. I hope that Huong and I will help make an unforgettable night. Quynh Huong: The pageants always include sub-contests for best Ao dai, party gowns, swimming suits, and a question-answer period. Therefore, we are under the pressure of making this pageant stand out from the rest. Besides choosing elegant outfits to wear, we also have to be able to improvise on stage to engage and entertain audiences. Many viewers who saw the semi-finals on TV said they were less than impressed with the chosen contestants. What is your assessment of the group of hopefuls who will compete in the grand finale? Anh Quan: The 20 girls selected for the final night include professional models and those who have won beauty titles. There are amateurs as well. Therefore, it’s out of the question to expect perfection from all of them on stage. Above all, we respect their enthusiastic participation, which proves their love for the country. Quynh Huong: I think there will be surprises tonight. The girls are clever enough to feature the best of their beauty and talent at the grand finale, which determines much of their achievement. Do the experts and judges favor a particular contestant to win tonight? What are the requisites for the winner? Anh Quan: Many are saying they have high expectations for four of the contestants – singer-turned-actress Thuy Lam whose birth name is Nguyen Thuy Trang, supermodels Vu Nguyen Ha Anh, Hoang Khanh Ngoc, and Vo Hoang Yen. The winner must give a professional performance, have good background knowledge and especially, be fluent in English. In your opinion, will the Vietnamese representative at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant be the one who possesses modern and dynamic beauty or the one who demonstrates traditional graceful charm? Quynh Huong: Open-minded people would love a Vietnamese representative who has personality, and a modern, dynamic beauty. But as a Vietnamese woman, I hope a graceful and traditional girl wins. It’s a real dilemma. Reported by Luu Hong

Miss Universe pageant will distinguish Vietnam: Deputy PM

Miss Universe pageant will distinguish Vietnam: Deputy PM

Contestants of the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 pageant vying to serve as the country’s representative for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant The successful hosting of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant will broadcast Vietnam’s image as well as its unique traditions and culture to the world, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has said.

Deputy PM Nhan told a meeting earlier this week the pageant is a national event and it serves as an opportunity to publicize the special qualities of Vietnam, particularly to promote the domestic tourism industry. He asked all relevant agencies to fulfill their tasks and assist the administration of central coastal Khanh Hoa province and the local organizing committee in hosting the event. As the economy is still facing steep challenges, the state did not allocate a budget for the event. The organizing committee should instead generate income from advertising, said Nhan, adding that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism still could request the state for an advance if necessary to organize the event. Representatives at the meeting, including government officials and members of the organizing board, discussed the contents of a nine-minute clip that will be broadcast live at the event on American channel NBC as well as many other television channels around the world. They encouraged local businesses to participate in making the clip in order to present the best images of Vietnam to the world. Organizers also confirmed at the meeting that work on infrastructure projects necessary to host the event in Khanh Hoa’s capital of Nha Trang are going as scheduled. The Crown Convention Center, a deluxe theater with 7,500 seats, is currently under construction with the support of US specialists and is expected to be finished by June 15. High-quality roads and lighting systems are also being built. Five-star accommodations for all contestants and members of the organizing board are already completed. The Ministry of Public Security pledged to maintain security nationwide during the beauty contest, while the Ministry of Information and Communications was given the responsibility of promoting the event to international audiences and tourists in conjunction with local media outlets. Nguyen Cong Khe, Thanh Nien’s Editor-in-Chief, said preparations for the traditional ao dai show in Ho Chi Minh City, the swimsuit competition in Nha Trang, the Gala Dinner and the charity gift auction are all finished. On behalf of Miss Universe Vietnam’s organizing board, Khe promised that the board would select the best contestant to represent Vietnam at the prestigious international pageant. Reported by Da Ly

Miss Venezuela wins best Ao Dai title at Miss Universe 2008

Miss Venezuela wins best Ao Dai title at Miss Universe 2008

June 26, 2008 (Vietnam)

As the Miss Universe 2008 pageant is picking up momentum, the contestants are vying for the most prestigious beauty award in the entire world. Hoa Binh Theatre at HCM City featured the participants modeling the traditional Vietnamese dress, Ao Dai on June 24. Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, won the title ‘Best in Ao Dai’. Nearly 80 Miss Universe contestants were donning Vietnamese customary garment, created by four famous domestic designers including Lien Huong, Thuan Viet, Sy Hoang and Vo Viet Chung. Along with Miss Venezuela, four other participants were chosen in the final round from India, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Vietnam. However, Dayana Mendoza made her smooth way out and won the contest. There were more that 2000 spectators who had come to become the part of the mesmerizing and enchanting event. As it was a proud moment for Vietnamese people to see stunning participants draped in their beautiful traditional attire. The grand finale will be held on July 14 at Crown Convention Center, Diamond Bay Resort, in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

Bring it on

Bring it on

Nguyen Thuy Trang (Thuy Lam) performs in the National Costume Show held in Binh Duong Province last Sunday. She finished in the top 10. The Vietnamese contestant at next month’s Miss Universe pageant in Nha Trang is getting along well with the other girls but is keen to take them on.

Nguyen Thuy Trang, the 2008 Miss Vietnam Universe, has always had a high profile. Trang, also known as Thuy Lam, was one of the 10 winners at last Sunday’s National Costume Show where she wore a dazzling, elaborately hand-embroidered ao dai. In a less elaborate but stunning white traditional tunic, she was also among the five nominees for the Best in Ao Dai title at Thanh Nien’s charity show Duyen Dang Ao dai (Charming Ao Dai) last Tuesday. Thanh Nien spoke to her to find out how she is preparing for next month’s Miss Universe grand finale. Thanh Nien: How do you feel at the moment? Nguyen Thuy Trang: I feel quite tired and under pressure, but I take good care of myself and keep to the schedule drawn up by the organizers. I’m eating a little more than usual these days to gain some more weight. You can’t see your family or friends now. Are you affected by this? Who is your roommate now? I feel quite sad, but we still keep in touch by telephone. I haven’t been in the best frame of mind since my family and I have to take care of many things [preparations for the contest] ourselves. I’m sharing a room with Anya Ayoung-Chee of Trinidad and Tobago. She is very nice and eager to discover Vietnamese cuisine. You have lived for more than a week with the other contestants. What are your impressions of them? They are quite different from each other but what they have in common is their sound knowledge of make-up, fitness and clothes. From our conversations, I discovered they all got professional training to become beauty queens. When representing their country at international beauty pageants, they get advice from agencies to choose outfits and performing styles. This puts them at an advantage. What aspects of Vietnam have you introduced to the others? They ask me about a lot of things. What they are most interested in is the ao dai I wore a few days ago. I explained to them the differences between the traditional ao dai and stylized modern ones. I also showed them the most attractive ways of sitting, walking and performing in the traditional Vietnamese costume while preparing for Thanh Nien’s charity show Duyen Dang Ao dai (Charming Ao dai). They have all marveled at the bewitching, demure beauty of our ao dai. The girls are also very excited about sampling Vietnamese cuisine. They are so eager to try different dishes and I promised to show them around Ho Chi Minh City and introduce local dishes to them some day. However, the hot weather has taken its toll on them. The media blew up your last-minute change from Vo Viet Chung’s five-meter-long ao dai to a Thuan Viet piece at the National Costume Show. Were you affected by this? My family and I were quite upset about it. But I don’t read newspapers or care much about what people have said about me in the last few days. My family and I have to take care of so many things on our own, so I really hope people are understanding. I’ve been giving my best. I always keep in mind that I participate in this pageant not just for myself but for my country, which spurs me on. Actually, I didn’t think there would be such a fuss about my ao dai change. I simply thought I’ll wear the outfit I feel most comfortable in while on stage. Themed Vu khuc hac (Dance of Cranes), the ao dai designed by Thuan Viet was modeled on those worn by Queen Nam Phuong [wife of Bao Dai, the last king of Vietnam]. The outfit is a gorgeous blend of red and royal yellow, which accentuates the elegant grace of Vietnamese women and conveys a triumphal significance. The combination of intricate hand-embroidered patterns in gilded thread, crystal, pearls and diamonds makes it a resplendent work of art. The costume was to my liking and I think I made a right choice. So what are your major difficulties now? There are several difficulties ahead. One of them is that we’re pressed for time, having to make preparations in just 15 days while the other contestants have had one year’s preparation before their coronation and entry into this pageant. I don’t even have enough time for make-up, hairstyling and choosing outfits. Some people don’t understand my worries; they just kept asking me to do this and not to do that, which stresses me. I represent the host country, so I need to be stress-free. I need everyone’s encouragement and cooperation to fulfill my mission. What do you want to say before the pageant’s final stages? I’m quite perplexed these days. Encouragements from the audiences will be a great source of strength for me to compete in the pageant. I promise I’ll make the most of what I have. But I hope whatever the results are, I’ll always have everyone’s enthusiastic support. Reported by Da Ly

Ao dais charm Universe beauties

Ao dais charm Universe beauties

Thanh Nien’s charity show Duyen Dang Ao dai (Charming Ao dai), which gathered all Miss Universe 2008 contestants together, won rave reviews in Ho Chi Minh City last night.

Despite nearly tripping on stage in the unfamiliar costume, Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza last night won the Best in Ao dai title in Thanh Nien newspaper’s charity show in Ho Chi Minh City. Tickets to the Duyen Dang Ao dai show were sold out as no one wanted to miss the chance to see 80 Miss Universe contestants donning Vietnamese ao dais by four famous local designers. The contestants were divided into four groups to parade along Hoa Binh Theater’s stage with four different collections of ao dais. With the traditional designs of Lien Huong, the black-dominated collection of Thuan Viet, the colorful designs of Si Hoang and the highly stylized ao dais of Vo Viet Chung, the beauties all seemed to become Vietnamese maidens with their trademark grace while walking and performing with ao dais. Looking glamorous in a Vo Viet Chung ao dai, Venezuelan Mendoza defeated four other nominees – Miss Vietnam, Miss India, Miss Thailand and Miss Kazakhstan – to take the Best in Ao dai title. Mendoza was the first choice of the jurors, which included Thanh Nien’s Editor-in-chief Nguyen Cong Khe and Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori. Mendoza said she didn’t expect to win the title. “For the first time ever, multi-cultural values mingle with ao dai, creating an international exchange and extravaganza that helps beautiful women from different backgrounds understand one another much more as wellas focuses on Vietnamese features,” said Thanh Nien’s Khe. After raising more than US$23,000 at the Thanh Nien-organized charity auction on Monday, the Ao dai show illustrated again how considerate the Miss Universe contestants have been to disadvantaged Vietnamese people. Upon their arrival in Vietnam last week, the 80 Miss Universe contestants jumped straight into preparing for the ao dai event with a fitting session. “Why must this skirt go with trousers?” Miss Curacao Jenyfeer Mercelina asked designer Vo Viet Chung. Entering the fitting room, Jenyfeer was still wondering how to wear the costume. But she was transfixed by her reflection and was reluctant to take the outfit off. No sooner had she buttoned up her long tunic, Miss Brazil Natalia Anderle was ready to show off her outfit. But the beauty was embarrassed to discover she was only wearing half of it. She didn’t realize the trousers were part of the ensemble, thinking she was supposed to wear an evening dress split to the hip. Some contestants, including Misses Guam, Turkey and Poland, also created amusement by wearing their trousers back-to-front. The designers were enthusiastic about showing the girls the most attractive ways of sitting, walking and performing in the traditional Vietnamese costume. The beauties were also advised to wear high-heeled sandals and jewelry to be more appealing on stage. “Amazing!” “Unbelievable” or “Magic ao dai” were the words the beauties shouted from their fitting rooms. Last night, as they walked on the stage of Hoa Binh Theater, 2,000 people were stunned at how stunning the contestants looked in Vietnam’s traditional dress. “It is amazing to see so many beautiful girls gathered in one place in such a wonderful costume like ao dai,” said Michael Smith from Australia. “I wished I could sit closer to the stage.” Another Australian audience member, Don McDonald said: “Everything was so wonderful, the girls, the ao dais, the music and the organizing,” he said. “Miss Venezuela was very beautiful but of course my choice is Miss Australia,” McDonald said. MISS UNIVERSE ACTIVITIES IN HOI AN TODAY After a visit to Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee Office, sightseeing at the five-star Nam Hai Hoi An Resort and playing games and sports at the Palm Garden Resort, the beauty contestants will join a parade led by Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori in local pedicabs, decorated with their national flags and symbols. A traditional musical show will be held this evening in the ancient town, where organizers and performing artists will put on an extravaganza, bringing back to life scenes from the city’s history for the enjoyment of the pageant contestants. (L to R) Miss Finland Satu Tuomisto, Miss France Laura Tanguy, Miss Georgia Gvantsa Daraselia and Miss Germany Madina Taher modeling Vietnamese ao dais at Ho Chi Minh City’s Hoa Binh Theater last night.

Culture Vulture

Culture Vulture

(26-06-2008)

The 2008 Miss Universe preliminary festivities began this week in Viet Nam, heating up HCM City and attracting attention from admirers worldwide. The Miss Universe Organisation is a New York-based partnership between the American TV channel NBC and real estate tycoon Donald Trump, which has run the contest since 2002. Rachel Freimer, the Miss Universe Organisation’s vice president of production who is among the organising board’s key members, is already in the country for the event. She spoke with Culture Vulture about the tight schedule of the event and how judges would arrive at a decision in the competitive contest.

Is this your first time here?

I made my first trip to Viet Nam one year ago and I’ve been about seven times since then. I’m very happy to say that I have had many many friends and partners along the way.

What impressed you the most in Viet Nam?

We all adore the ao dai of Viet Nam. Many of our girls chose the ao dai not only on Monday night but also during the event, to show our love for the country, its people and its culture. Viet Nam’s winner is having a wonderful time showing all the other contestants her country. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the contestant from the host country to crow a little bit about the people and the culture of her home.

What about its people?

We have a very pressing and busy schedule because there are so many things to see in Viet Nam and so many people want to honour us and invite us to their provinces and their cities. It’s really hard to say no to any of them. So we try to get the girls’ permission to join many of these activities. Vietnamese people are very, very friendly.

There’ll be celebrities worldwide joining the event. Who are they?

Well, we can tell you right now, but I think we might keep a few things as a surprise. We have two teams of judges. The preliminary team and the team for the international broadcast. They represent people from all walks of life and different careers such as actors, singers, directors or businessmen. We want it to be diverse. We want to talk about history, culture, fashion and entertainment.

Will the results of the costume shows be included in the final decision?

The shows awards are announced right after the shows. There is a prize for a national costume performance, which is very important for the girls as the contestants can show off their national pride. Some of the costumes need from four to five people to help the girls put them on. And there’s also an ao dai performance. However, none of them is counted into the final result. What will be counted are the main events happening in Nha Trang City on July 8 and July 14. The contestants will compete in an evening gown and a swimsuit and also have an interview during the contest.

When will the key judges come to Viet Nam?

We’ll be working closely with them and will try to co-operate with the press. There’ll be opportunity for reporters to contact the judges right before the final show. And we’ll let you know soon when you can make arrangements for interviews and photographs.

The main judges will be arriving in Viet Nam between July 10-11. They’ll come from all over the world so we’ll have a representation of every kind of beauty, not only one kind of beauty. The first team of judges will be in Nha Trang around July 5 and will choose the girls from the presentation show on July 8 at the Crown Convention Centre in Nha Trang. Every girl will be judged in an evening gown and swimsuit. From that point, they’ll choose the top 15 semi-finalists, which will be top secret and won’t be revealed until July 14.

The main judges will be arriving July10-11. They will review all girls on stage, and from the top 15, they will then choose the new Miss Universe 2008, the first time she has been crowned in Viet Nam. — VNS

A chat with the ‘Best in ao dai’

A chat with the ‘Best in ao dai’

Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza in the Duyen Dang Ao Dai charity show last Tuesday. Thanh Nien tracked down Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza – who was judged the Best in ao dai last Tuesday – to find out how she did it and her prospects for the ultimate prize.

Dayana said winning the title at the Charming Ao dai event organized by Thanh Nien in Ho Chi Minh City on June 24 had provided her with more confidence and determination to compete for the Miss Universe crown. “I was too surprised to believe my ears. I did not think I could be judged the best and given the ao dai I wore at the show,” said Dayana. “The ao dai is distinguished as it highlights womanly curves while not necessarily showing off any cleavage.” The beauty said she was also astonished at Vietnam’s peace and hospitality, which was very different from what she had thought about the country before her arrival. “In our mind, Vietnam is a country of heroes which has been through many wars. Everything is new to me. I am impressed by the bustling and dynamic economy and the open-minded youth here,” said Dayana. Asked how she is able to be so well-established and confident at the age of 22, Dayana unveiled, “Life is full of experiences. I left Venezuela for New York when I was 15 to start my modeling career. At that time, I could only speak three words in English – hello, bye and thank you. What I have learnt to help me survive is to be of sound mind and to try to adapt to the melting pot.” “I think the biggest lesson I have learnt is to compose myself in any situation. I was once kidnapped when I was around 10 years old. But I was calm enough to bring out the better side of my kidnapper and take advantage of a moment alone to call the police,” she recalled. …to the Miss Universe stage For the Venezuelan star, the winner of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant will possess at least three things. “First and foremost, she must be determined and try her best but not be vengeful whether winning or losing. The pageant is a competition but also a playground to learn life experiences. “Secondly, showing competence during the one-month event is another issue. It’s not really long enough but the organizers know how to assess the best. Therefore, making oneself recognized and distinguished from the others is the key. “And last but not least, one can not win without a little bit of good luck,” said Dayana. Reported by Do Tuan

Miss Venezuela best in Vietnamese ao dai

Miss Venezuela best in Vietnamese ao dai

June 26, 2008

Miss Venezuela best in Vietnamese ao dai

14:25′ 25/06/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – With the golden body measurements of a model, Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, 22, won the title Best in Ao dai at the Miss Universe 2008 pageant. The ao dai competition was held at the HCM City-based Hoa Binh Theatre on June 24. Over 80 contestants modelled four ao dai collections designed by Lien Huong, Thuan Viet, Sy Hoang and Vo Viet Chung. Five contestants were chosen for the final round: India, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Venezuela and Vietnam. Miss Venezuela, who is a model with Elite (85-58-89, 1.78m) won the Best in ao dai title with an ao dai designed by Vo Viet Chung. The ao dai competition ended the warm-up activities of Miss Universe contestants in HCM City. Today, June 25, they flew to the central city of Da Nang and then went on to the ancient city of Hoi An, where they will take photos at Ha My beach and participate in a procession of cyclos on Hoi An streets tonight. Miss Venezuela Miss Vietnam Miss Thailand Miss Kazakhstan Miss India Miss Nigeria and Miss Israel Miss Brazil and Miss Turkey Miss Universe 2007 Miss UK and Miss France Miss Belgium and Miss Kazakhstan Miss Czech Republic and Miss Kosovo Miss Slovak Republic and Miss South Africa Miss Venezuela Miss Elsavador and Miss Colombia Miss Tanzania and Miss USA

Miss Venezuela wins “Best in Ao dai” title

Miss Venezuela wins “Best in Ao dai” title

June 26, 2008

Miss Venezuela wins “Best in Ao dai” title

Miss Venezuela. Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza won the “Best in Ao dai “(national long dess ) title in the “Duyen dang ao dai” (Charming Ao dai) show organised by Thanh Nien newspaper’s in Ho Chi Minh City on June 24, defeating 80 other contestants of the Miss Universe 2008. Miss Venezuelan was wearing an Ao dai made by designer Vo Viet Chung. She was said to perform the Ao dai so beautifully and charmingly that she won great appraisal from the viewers. Miss India, Miss Thailand, Miss Kazakhstan and Miss Vietnam were in the top five Best in ao dai Misses. (Photos by VnExpress)

Miss Universe contestants try on ao dai

Miss Universe contestants try on ao dai

16:06′ 19/06/2008 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – On their second day in Vietnam, competitors in the Miss Universe 2008 pageant tried on the traditional Vietnamese dress, ao dai. Over 50 girls who came to HCM City on the first two days were measured and tried on ao dai, which were designed by four Vietnamese designers, Vo Viet Chung, Thuan Viet, Sy Hoang and Lien Huong. Each designer is in charge of taking body measurements and preparing ao dai for 20 competitors. Thuan Viet said on June 18 he got measurements and tried ao dai on 11 candidates from France, Indonesia, India, El Salvador, etc. He said most of the girls were very beautiful in Vietnamese ao dai because they have standard body measurements. “Miss India was the best in ao dai,” he said. These ao dai will go to the stage with competitors on the night of June 24 in HCM City in the ao dai competition. On June 18, many more competitors arrived in HCM City, including Miss Japan, Miss China, Miss Germany, Miss Colombia, etc. The final competitors will arrive in HCM City today, June 19, including many Asian beauties, such as the competitors from South Korea and the Philippines. A welcome party will be held on June 20 in the evening, with the presence of Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori. Some competitors in HCM City on June 18: Miss El Salvado and Miss Sri Lanka Miss Curacao and Miss Costa Rica Miss Bolivia and Miss Denmark Miss Mexico and Miss South Africa Miss Norway and Mis Pueto Rico Miss Sri Lanka and Miss Switzerland Miss Turks & Caicos and Miss Dominica Miss Trinidad & Tobago and Miss Georgia Miss Greece and Miss Malaysia Vo Tien