VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese single women of 18 years old and upwards can send their photos to a beauty contest named after the famous Japanese flower. The shortlist round will be done through photos.

Tran Ngoc Nguyen Khanh, the second-prize winner of the Miss Cherry Blossom 2008 pageant.

Contestants who passed the short-list round will enter the regional round in Hanoi on June 6 and in HCM City on June 13. The final round will be held in HCM City on June 27. The three competitions will be broadcast live on the VTV9 channel of the Vietnam Television (VTV) and the Binh Duong Television, BTV2.

The first-prize winner will receive VND70 million ($4,000) and the two second-prize winners VND35 million ($2,000).

After the contest, contestants will participate in charity and social activities, including planting Japanese cherry trees in Vietnam. After two Miss Cherry Blossom contests, contestants have planted 35 cherry trees in Da Lat city.

VietNamNet/VNE