HÀ NỘI — Kim Dung, 24, is Việt Nam’s Next Top Model (VNTM) after winning the All Stars 2017 contest on Saturday in HCM City, marred by controversy over another contestant who stirred up a storm with her almost skeleton-like appearance.

Dung received several valuable prizes, including a three-year modelling contract with a top Korean agency YG KPLUS, which manages famous stars such as PSY, Big Bang, TOP, G-Dragon and Winner.

She has also been selected to open the Vietnam International Fashion Week in Hà Nội on November 1.

Dung currently works as a professional model. She is from the northern province of Nam Định and graduated from the University of Labour and Social Affairs in Hà Nội. She is 1.79m tall.

The final night of this year’s event saw strong competition among the top three contenders — Chà Mi, Kim Dung and Thùy Dương.

Actress Trương Ngọc Ánh was chosen as the host of the eighth season of the reality TV model search, together with model Võ Hoàng Yến as model mentor, while makeup artist Nam Trung returned as creative director.

Việt Nam’s Next Top Model is the Vietnamese version of the US reality television show America’s Next Top Model by CBS Studios International. It is open to contestants aged 18 and 25, who compete in a catwalk contest and photo shoot to present their talents and skills and participate in an interview with jury members.

After seven seasons, launching the careers of many of the local fashion industry’s biggest modelling names, VNTM Season 8 is called "All Stars" because 12 previous contestants return to take part in the drama.

Dung attended the VNTM in 2014 but was eliminated from the final round. She joined this season’s All Stars determined to do her best. “After three years of working as a professional model, I’m stronger and more confident about my ability and talent,” Dung said. “I want the audience to remember my name.”

Skeleton on catwalk

Model Cao Ngân created a stir when she took to the catwalk with only 40kgs on her 1.78metre frame. She wore a halter dress designed by Nguyễn Tiến Truyển. The decision to include her in the All Stars version was criticised given her skinny appearance.

Ngân was born in 1992 in the southern province of Kiên Giang. She took part in VNTM 2014 but stopped at Top 5.

Nguyễn Mạnh Hà from Multimedia JSC, organiser of the contest, denied Ngân had been chosen to attract audience attraction.

“We didn’t use Ngân’s pitiful image to increase ratings,” said Hà. “We don’t encourage models to grow thin. We just don’t discrimminate models due to their bodies. Each one has her own beauty. Here we don’t strip anyone of their dream.”

Ngân lost weight after being in an accident. She thought she would not be able to resume her modelling career, but she can’t give up her dream. “I decided to participate to VNTM All Stars and try to make good impression. I hope the audience will accept me again.”

But her image broadcast on television caused an online uproar of spectators, who criticised the programmes panel for accepting such an unhealthy model. — VNS