The final round of the Mrs Vietnam pageant kicked off on September 15 in the southern coastal city of Vung Tau, with 58 contestants competing to be crowned at the final judging on September 26.

The distinct roles and behaviors of men and women in a given culture, dictated by that culture's gender norms and values, give rise to gender differences. Not all such differences between men and women imply inequity - for example, the fact that in many western societies, men generally wear trousers while women often wear skirts and dresses is a gender difference which does not, in itself, favor either group.

Miss Supranational Vietnam Chung Thuc Quyen finished in the top half of the first-ever Miss Supranational pageant held in Plock, Poland, on September 5.

A 100-minute choral work titled “Luc Van Tien” went on stage on September 8 in HCM City and it was immediately recognised as the longest such musical work in Vietnam.

Tran Thi Nue could not help crying when she saw her hearing-impaired daughter on the stage, smiling as she played her role in a pantomime with her friends.