Vietnam’s first Miss Bikini International contestant says she’s ready to win.

Though she’s never competed in an international beauty contest, 21-year-old model Huynh Thi Thanh Tuyen is confident she’ll do well at the 36th Miss Bikini International competition in China next month.

“The judges will not be disappointed by the first representative from Vietnam,” she said.

But Tuyen harbors no illusions about what the contest is all about.

“I’ve never thought that I’m going to the contest for cultural exchange,” Tuyen said. “I’m coming to show myself off.”

Tuyen said though the contest would be full of beautiful models, she believes that if she prepares thoroughly and does her best, she’ll win.

While spending a lot of time choosing the right bikinis for the event, she’s also been designing her own shawl to wear.

Though there is no traditional Vietnamese shawl, she’s decided to infuse hers with traditional Vietnamese emblems.

“The shawl will be adorned with images of Dong Son kettledrums, the symbols of Vietnam.”

For the National Costume part of the competition, Tuyen has asked Cam Van Tho, a well-known designer with the popular ABC Ao Dai brand, to create a sexy ao dai (traditional Vietnamese tunic) with the shape of Vietnam printed on it.

Tuyen is also preparing for the talent round.

“I will play Ly cay da (Vietnamese country folk music) on the 16-chord zither,” said Tuyen.

The tall girl

As a young girl, Tuyen was ashamed of her “abnormal” height.

“I didn’t even dare to swim, my favorite sport, because I was afraid it would make me taller,” she said.

However, things changed once she took a modeling class in 11th grade. The class, hosted by top-Vietnamese modeling agency Professional Look (PL), taught her to use height to her advantage.

PL General Director Tran Thanh Long noticed Tuyen and said “the tall girl” had the potential to become a successful model. After the class, he offered Tuyen an exclusive modeling contract with PL.

Long said Tuyen was a perfect choice for the bikini contest.

“Tuyen is tall and has a well-proportioned body, the first criteria for a bikini contest,” said Long.

However, Long said he stressed to Tuyen that the most important thing at an international contest is showing that she’s proud to be Vietnamese.

He said she’d have to show it through a deep and thorough understanding of Vietnam and its cultural traditions.

Of course, her custom-made shawl, ao dai and musical performance will undoubtedly help her in this category.

“Tuyen understands Vietnamese customs,” Long said. “She’ll do well.”

Model Huynh Thi Thanh Tuyen says she’s competing at the Miss Bikini International contest in China next month not for “cultural exchange” but rather to “show off”

Reported by Thanh Van