HCM CITY — Đỗ Mỹ Linh of the Hà Nội University of Trade was crowned Miss Việt Nam 2016 at the grand finale at Phú Thọ Indoor Stadium in HCM City last night.

The Hà Nội-born student defeated 29 other finalists from across the country to win the new crown that has 63 pearls and about 3,300 sapphires worthing VNĐ2.2 billion (US$98,000). She also received VNĐ500 million (US$22,000) in cash.

Hà Nội-based student Ngô Thanh Thanh Tú, 22, was named the first runner-up, while 20-year-old Huỳnh Thị Thùy Dung of HCM City was the second runner-up.

They received VNĐ300 million ($13,000) and VNĐ250 million ($11,000), respectively.

At the grand finale, South Korean pop idol and actor Rain, whose real name is Jung Ji Hoon, performed his hits It’s Raining and My Girl, and songs La Song and 30 Sexy from his latest album Rain Effect released in 2014.

His performances received non-stop applause from nearly 5,000 audiences at the stadium in District 11.

Vietnamese music stars Thu Minh, Hà Anh Tuấn, Noo Phước Thịnh, Đông Nhi, and Tóc Tiên also presented songs praising the beauty of HCM City and Việt Nam.

The night was broadcast live on Việt Nam Television’s Channel 1 and Channel 9 and 14 local television studios. — VNS