Before the final round in July 14, 80 candidates from 80 countries and territories have experienced contests for one month in Vietnam.
This is the first time Vietnam has organised such a big international cultural event, attracting public attention from all over the world. This contributed to raising the status of Vietnam in the world while opening up more opportunities for tourism development in the coming time.
Beauty queens have joined activities in different cities and places of interests in Vietnam. They have spoken highly of Vietnam on newspapers. They showed their interest in Vietnamese noodles and selected palm-leaf conical hat (non la) and long traditional dress (ao dai) for their souvenirs.
Beauty queens have been warmly welcomed everywhere, from Hoi An, Quang Nam province, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province to Temple of Literature in Hanoi.
The crowning ceremony was very impressive with the appearance of singer Mel B, a former singer of Spice Girls who said hello in Vietnamese or Miss Universe 2007 Ryo Mori in Vietnamese traditional long dress.
Images of Vietnam such as bamboo tree, Dong Son brass drum which presented an age old Vietnamese civilisation, the Temple of Literature, presenting a thousand year old culture, Guom (Sword) Lake in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, the world natural heritage have been introduced to viewers.
As a host of the event, Vietnam had nine minutes of advertising its image on NBC television of the US. The film featured various places of interests in Sa Pa, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Nha Trang and Da Nang. The film was introduced in the crowning ceremony.
Miss Universe pageant 2008 has contributed to advertising an image of Vietnam with hidden charms, friendly people, a culture imbued with national identity and a peaceful country on the way of development and integration.
