Miss Universe contestants visit Ha Noi as beauty pageant begins

Miss Universe contestants on The Huc Bridge at Ngoc Son Temple in the heart of the capital. —VNA/VNS Photo Nhat Anh
Beauty floods into town: Eighty-one contestants participating in the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant met with ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions in Ha Noi at the Ambassadors Gala Dinner last night. The event aimed to promote cultural exchange between Viet Nam and the rest of the world. — VNS/VNA Photo Nhan Sang
HA NOI — The 81 contestants participating in the Miss Universe 2008 beauty pageant began their first visit to Ha Noi yesterday.
Yesterday morning they met with representatives of Ha Noi’s People Committee, visited the Temple of Literature and walked along the Hoan Kiem Lake.
Paula Mary Sugart, president of the Miss Universe Organisation, expressed her joy at the hospitality shown to them by the Vietnamese people which she and the contestants would always treasure.
Last night, they met with their respective ambassadors to Viet Nam and heads of diplomatic missions during the Ambassadors Gala Dinner to promote cultural exchanges between Viet Nam and the rest of the world.
"With its tradition of hospitality, benevolence, faithfulness and respect for beauty as well as its pursuit for truth, good, and beautiful, Viet Nam has the great honour of hosting this year’s event," said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan at the gala dinner.
Nhan also commented on the participants saying that they weren’t only contestants of the Miss Universe 2008 but were special beauties visiting Viet Nam from around the world.
"I hope when you return to your home countries, you will become good will ambassadors for Viet Nam and spread the message that ours is a hospitable, peace-loving nation desiring to be friends with all countries in the world," he added.
"The ambassador gala not only shows the Vietnamese government’s consideration for such a significant cultural event, but also expresses the Viet Nam’s gratitude to all the countries and regions for sending their beauty queens and also co-operating with the country in many sectors," said Pham Sanh Chau, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Culture, during the press conference in HCM City last week when the contestants first came to HCM City.
Before coming to Ha Noi, the contestants visited the historic city of Hoi An in Quang Nam Province on Wednesday.
They spent time visiting Nam Hai Resort and the Palm Garden Resort, and joined in entertainment activities including beach volleyball, surfing, and playing Vietnamese folk games on Hoi An beach. The contestants also observed the daily lives of local fishermen.
In the evening, the contestants took in the sights on cyclos via a parade through Hoi An’s main streets, and joined a performance of traditional costumes, where each participant’s country dress was represented.
The 57th Miss Universe beauty pageant will be held at the Crown Convention Center (Diamond Bay Resort) in Nha Trang on July 14 where outgoing title holder Riyo Mori will crown her successor. — VNS
source vietnamnews