Duong Truong Thien Ly, Miss People’s Choice at Miss World 2008 pageant in South Africa last December, had an exciting year as the 19-year-old from the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap took second runner up at Miss Universe Vietnam and finished third at the International Modeling and Talent Association Contest in New York last August.

Thanh Nien: 2008 was an eventful year for you. Has your life changed much?

Duong Truong Thien Ly: There were so many changes last year. It was a good year for me.

I had three major events – Miss Universe Vietnam, the International Modeling and Talent Association Contest in the US and Miss World in South Africa – all within a few months of each other. They’ve been the most memorable experiences of my life.

I matured a lot at these events. I’ve developed relationships and gained a lot of life experience.

I’ve learned a lot of things and had the chance to look back at myself and reevaluate my studies and career.

Your friends say that you’re a hardworking, excellent student…

Oh, in fact, I’m not an excellent student… my parents did always encourage me to take up foreign languages and musical instruments. I often went camping with my father.

Many think you make a good impression with your innocent face. Are you as gentle as your appearance suggests?

I’m really blessed to have inherited my physical features from my parents. Different people have different concepts of beauty, but I’m really appreciative of such kind comments.

Besides physical attractiveness, personal integrity is important to me. I have many flaws. However, I’m lucky to have been taught manners by my family at a very young age. Many say that I’m an obedient girl.

My grandmother raised me on stories of good and evil. She took me to the pagoda and she taught me about Asian virtues and instilled feminine values in me.

My parents and siblings taught me to tell right from wrong.

You are a student at Saint Mary’s College in the US. Has your busy professional schedule affected your studies?

I’ve been pretty overwhelmed since last summer. I postponed my studies and am now a semester late. The flexible curriculum at US colleges allows students to take time off without affecting their marks.

Despite the delay, I’ve learned a lot from everything I did last year. I consider all these events extracurricular activities that will benefit me in the long run. I’ll begin classes again this spring.

So you won’t celebrate the upcoming Tet (Lunar New Year) in Vietnam. Is that disappointing?

I’m sad because there is no place like home to celebrate Tet, but I have no choice if I want to keep studying.

But I’ll spend the time celebrating Tet away from home, resting, reflecting and contemplating all I’ve been through.

You light up like a child at the mention of Tet, even though you’re 19 now?

It’s true. I’m so eager for Tet. I love wishing my grandparents and parents good health on the first day of Tet and receiving li xi [lucky money]. I love family reunions, going to the pagoda and eating my favorite Tet dishes.

But I’m not so eager to wear new clothes this Tet as I had to put on a lot of new costumes last year.

What are your wishes for the Lunar New Year?

I make wishes throughout the year. During Tet, I make wishes for the whole year at the pagoda. Good health is my first priority because there are elderly people in my family. Next comes peace and harmony for my extended family. For myself, I wish hope for progress in school and love. That’s enough. Wishes are unlikely to come true if you wish for too much.

Reported by Da Ly