NINH BÌNH — Phạm Thị Mỹ Huyền has surpassed 19 other contestants to be crowned Miss Hoa Lư 2018 at a ceremony held in the northern province of Ninh Bình on Sunday.

Second place went to Trịnh Thị Vân Giang and third to Vũ Thị Lan Anh.

Huyền will receive a prize valued at VNĐ55 million (US$2,400), which includes cash and services at a beauty salon.

The final night of Ninh Bình’s beauty pagaent included áo dài (Vietnamese traditional long dress), gown and bikini contests, through which the contestants showcased the elegance and grace of Vietnamese women. The Q&A round to select the final five required the contestants to possess firm knowledge on various fields, particularly the history and culture of the province.

The contestants of Miss Hoa Lư 2018 were highly evaluated for their beauty, knowledge, eagerness to learn and self confidence. Most were students of universities and colleges nationwide, while some had graduated and were living in Ninh Bình Province.

Previously, the contestants took part in many social activities in the communities like visiting and giving gifts in Nho Quan District’s Invalids’ Nursing Home; and burning incense and posing in traditional long dresses at the Hoa Lư Historical Relic.

Miss Hoa Lư 2018 aims to honour the beauty of Vietnamese women in general and women from Ninh Bình in particular.

The beauty pageant was also expected to promote the images of both local landscapes and people to promote tourism to Ninh Bình. It is also one of the cultural activities to celebrate the 1,050th anniversary of the former capital of Hoa Lư (now Hoa Lư District, Ninh Bình Province). — VNS