Moviegoers are no longer simply satisfied by watching a beauty queen act in a film: They expect more acting talent from them now.

Bui Thi Diem in “Heaven Wind”.

Beauty queens prove they’re not just another pretty face

The first winners of beauty contests who joined the movie industry were Miss Ao Dai Ly Thu Thao and Miss Noel Ha Noi 1992 Truong Ngoc Anh in the 1990s. Thao did well in a film entitled “Gem in Stone” while Anh acted in “You and Michael Jackson”. Anh quickly became a movie star.

After Thao and Anh, another beauty queen, Miss Photo Bui Thi Diem took part in “Heaven Wind”, but she didn’t impress audiences.

Most recently, director Phuong Dien chose Miss Vietnam Mai Phuong Thuy as the lead actress in the TV series “Negative”. Director Le Bao Trung invited Miss Talent of Miss Sport 2007 pageant Cao Thuy Duong and Chung Thuc Quyen, who represented Vietnam at the Miss Tourism Queen International 2008, to act in “Love Story in Jade Island”.

Cao Thuy Duong in “Love Story in Jade Island”.

An overseas Vietnamese beauty, Miss Asia in America Jennifer Pham, had the lead role in “Leaves of Time” and Miss Tourism Ngoc Diem had a part in “Ambition”.

Director Ly Huynh, after failing to persuade Diem Huong and Miss Vietnam Global 2007 Ngo Phuong Lan, lured Miss Universe Vietnam Thuy Lam 2008 to star as Princess Ngoc Han in “Tay Son Hero”.

Beauty queens are appearing more frequently on the screen. They are considered an important way to advertise film projects. But acting is a serious job, which requires talent and is full of hardship –it is not a walk like many may think.

The presence of beauty queens in recent movies has helped refresh the domestic movie industry but their acting skills haven’t yet satisfied audiences’ expectations. The reason may partly lie in scripts, directors, but it also the acting ability of the actresses – the beauty queens.

Though they have “landed” enmasse on the silver screen, staying there will involve a lot of hard work.

Hoa Tien Nu