HCM City beauty wins Mrs Viet Nam Pageant

The pageant featured 64 contestants from across the country and took place in Vung Tau.

Yen, 33-year-old mother of two and director of the UBS Company in HCM City, beat out five other finalists from Ha Tinh Province, Lam Dong Province, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, and HCM City. The pool of contestants had been cut to 20 before having to participate in a question-and-answer session.

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, 26-year-old owner of Ha Noi-based medical equipment shop, finished the contest in second place, while 27-year-old Dam Thi Ly, manager of the fresh vegetable project of Nam San Ltd Co, got third place.

The winner and runner-up will represent Viet Nam at the Mrs World pageant, along with 100 other international competitors in Vung Tau o­n November 22.

"I must improve my strength and knowledge to prepare for the upcoming beauty contest," Mrs Viet Nam 2009 Yen said. "I believe I will win at the Mrs World Pageant 2009."

Pham Hong Tham of HCM City won the Mrs Congeniality award, which was voted o­n by all the contestants from the final round.

Mrs World 2008 Nataliia Shmarenkova made an appearance at the pageant and performed the song The Phantom of the Opera from the stage musical of same name, o­n the final night.

The Mrs Viet Nam Pageant 2009 was organised by the Viet Nam Women’s Association and the CIAT Advertising and Trade Fair Management Company.