Dang Minh Thu, the first runner-up of Miss Vietnam Global 2007

This is not the first time Vietnam has participated in an international beauty contest, but Miss Universe 2008 is particularly special because of two factors: this is the first time the world’s second largest beauty contest will be held in Vietnam and the first time Vietnam will officially send a representative to a Miss Universe contest.

At the beginning, the plan was to organize a Miss Vietnam Universe pageant to choose the representative, but this plan was canceled. Competent agencies will have to select a girl who has won a pageant before to send to Miss Universe 2008.

Vietnam has not held any national beauty pageants so far this year, so beauties of 2006 and 2007 are potential candidates. In terms of prestige and influence, Miss Vietnam is at the top of the list. Mai Phuong Thuy, Luu Bao Anh and Luong Ngoc Lan were the winners of Miss Vietnam 2006 and all three meet the requirements to represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2008. But which will it be?

Truong Tri Truc Diem and Pham Thi Thuy Duong

The first and second runners-up of Miss Vietnam 2006, Bao Anh and Ngoc Lan have partly lost their attractiveness. Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy is 20 years old now. She seems to be more mature, with experience learned at Miss World 2006 contest, but Thuy is hesitant to participate in beauty contests. After two pageants, she understands the difficulties and pressure after showy beauty contests.

Thuy said: “I’m ready to compete for the country if I’m chosen for the Miss Universe this year because I’m a Vietnamese citizen. But as for myself, I don’t want to take part in the event. I’ve tried my best to fulfill the responsibility of Miss Vietnam for the past two years. After transferring the crown to Miss Vietnam 2008, I will have more time for my studies, and then I will have more opportunities to continue fulfilling the responsibility of Miss Vietnam.”

Miss Vietnam Global was organized for the first time last year. Ngo Phuong Lan, Teressa Sam and Dang Minh Thu were the winners at this contest.

Minh Thu failed at Miss World 2007. Teressa Sam is supported for her beauty but she bears UK nationality so it is difficult for her to represent Vietnam at Miss Universe 2008. Ngo Phuong Lan, after refusing to attend Miss World 2007 for studying, there is no reason to refuse her duty to the country this time but her beauty is suitable for Miss World, which often honors gentle beauties, while sexy and modern beauty is often rewarded at Miss Universe.

Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy and Miss Vietnam Global 2007 Ngo Phuong Lan

Truong Tri Truc Diem, who recently entered the top 50 beauties of the world on the Globalbeauties website, said she is very happy and will try her best if she is selected for the Miss Universe 2008. But her chances are small because she only won the first runner-up title at a beauty contest held by a magazine in 2005.

Pham Thi Thuy Duong who participated in Miss International 2007 in Japan said she hasn’t heard any information about the Vietnamese candidate at Miss Universe 2008. She said it is better to choose the representative as soon as possible to give more time for her to prepare for the contest. Duong said she would not have the honour to represent Vietnam at this event so she didn’t prepare.

Actually, Thuy Duong can’t representative Vietnam at Miss Universe 2008 although she is very sexy and was mistaken to be Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori when she came to Japan for Miss International 2007 because she has never won an official title; though she was one of the top ten competitors of the Miss Vietnam 2006 pageant.

Other girls who are the winners of other beauty contests like Nguyen Thi Hoang Nhung, Miss Vietnam Ethnic 2007, Luu Van Anh, Miss Jewelry 2007 or Tran Thi Quynh, Miss Sports 2007 can have a small chance only because their English and communication skills are limited.

While Vietnam doesn’t select its representative for Miss Universe 2008, over 40 candidates from other countries are urgently preparing for the event. In an interview with a local magazine, Miss Universe of Puerto Rico expressed her sentiment to Vietnam and said one of her daily tasks is surfing the Internet to update information about Vietnam.

Good preparation will help beauties feel confident and it is one of the key to success. Vietnamese people complain that Vietnamese beauties didn’t show themselves at international contests but with a few days to prepare for international events, how can Vietnamese girls, who have been growing up in Vietnam only, have perfect preparation.

(Source: TT & VH)