The Hoan Vu (Universe) Company has asked the Performance Art Agency, under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to licence supermodel Vo Hoang Yen to participate in the Miss Universe 2009.

Supermodel Vo Hoang Yen.

The Performance Art Agency’s senior official Pham Dinh Thang said the agency would consider licencing Hoang Yen once it received the invitation letter from the Miss Universe organisers.

According to regulations, Vietnamese contestants who are chosen for international beauty contests must be able to speak a foreign language fluently. However, which agency will test the contestants: the Performance Art Agency or Hoan Vu company?

Thang said that when the Miss Universe Organization sends its invitation letter to Hoang Yen, Hoan Vu Company will have to submit some documents, including Hoang Yen’s certificate in a foreign language, perhaps English or French.

Vo Hoang Yen (1.79m, 90-62-90), was born in 1988 in HCM City. She was in the top ten of the Miss Vietnam Photo 2006, won the gold prize in the Vietnam Supermodel 2008 and was first runner-up in the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008.

Hoang Yen said she was very happy to be nominated as Vietnamese contestant for this year’s Miss Universe pageant and was ready to participate in this event. “Miss Universe pageant often has a talent competition. I plan to sing a song,” she added.

She also said that she would exercise to lose one kilo in weight and to have a smaller waist. “Hoan Vu Company said that if I’m invited by the Miss Universe Organization and licenced by the Performance Art Agency, they will organise a training course for me, from May to August 2009,” she revealed.

Previously, Hoan Vu Company chose Vo Hoang Yen and Phan Thi Ngoc Diem as bright nominees for Miss Universe 2009. However, Ngoc Diem withdrew. “I’m a last-year student at the HCM City Foreign Trade University so studying is my top priority this year. I don’t have time for training courses for the Miss Universe pageant. Moreover, Hoang Yen has more favourable conditions than me. Of course, I feel regret having to give up this chance,” Diem said.

Miss Universe 2009 will take place in August 2009 in the Bahamas. Forty countries have registered to take part in the event.

Son Ha