Most prominent were the Mrs. Vietnam and Mrs. International contests held in the southern city of Vung Tau. Hoang Thi Yen achieved her fame as the second runner-up in the International event. This is the highest position a Vietnamese women has reached since the country began participating in global beauty contests.
Other Vietnamese beauties showed their charm, self-confidence and the nation’s cultural identity to international friends. Huong Giang made it to the top 16 in the Miss World contest while top model Chung Thuc Quyen won the best national dress award, wearing an ao dai (the nation’s traditional dress), in the Miss Supranational contest. Vietnam’s Miss Sport Tran Thi Quynh also made a very good impression in the Miss International competition. Besides having the image of a developing country with a diverse traditional cultural identity, Vietnam is now well known for its traditional dress, which drew lots of attention from international friends.
However, all good things must come to an end. It is not the beauty that lasts forever but how the beauties fulfill their missions after being crowned. Only then will the public recognise their contributions to society and this year was the right time as Vietnam’s beauties set a shining example with their honesty and warm hearts.
2009 was not a year of great beauty contests but only in these circumstances do people realise the silent but meaningful contributions made by the contestants.
Earlier last year, the Miss World 2008 Shukhinova from Russia and Miss World 2007 Zang Zilin from China, travelled throughout the country. People in 20 communes and towns in the central province of Quang Nam were moved by their visit even when some of them did not know that they were ex-Miss Worlds. Tears were shed when numerous poor people received presents from the two beauties.
Miss Vietnam Mai Phuong Thuy is considered Miss Clemency and she is popular for her charity activities even after being crowned 5 years ago. She is always ready to take part in any event. Despite the bad weather, Thuy walked dozens of km to meet disadvantage people in remote areas. She also gave presents to children with HIV in Tu Tam House and joined the Lunar Full Moon Festival with children in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City. Miss Thuy was called “The Kind Fairy” by the children. She also donated billions of Vietnam Dong, an amazing amount for a young girl who is only 21 years old.
In a more silent but effective way of contributing to society, Miss Sport 2007 and the Traffic Ambassador Tran Thi Quynh had a busy year as she had to work for Radio the Voice of Vietnam and prepare for the Miss International contest at the same time. She was fully prepared to promote Vietnam’s traditional culture to international friends.
In 2010, with large beauty pageants approaching, many new faces will be seen at these contests. But it is their performance that will make the crown more dazzling. A winner is remembered more for her warm heart than her title.