Vo Hoang Yen, Vietnam’s representative at this year’s Miss Universe pageant, which will be held in the Bahamas in August.

Representing Vietnam at the Miss Universe 2009 pageant, Vo Hoang Yen says she hopes to change the world’s perception of young Vietnamese women.

The 21-year-old model says that by participating in the event, she hopes to change foreigners’ perceptions about today’s young Vietnamese women who are confident and outgoing, but still uphold traditional values.

Yen has faced criticism in the past for her seemingly aloof manner as she displays little emotion on stage, with many in the industry accusing her of being cold and arrogant. Yen, however, doesn’t see herself that way.

“I’m not putting on airs, it’s just me being me. I may look aloof onstage, this is understandable, but I’m actually a sociable, boisterous girl in everyday life just like my peers.

“I think how I present myself at this pageant will make people have a different opinion about me. I’ll keep renewing my image to win judges and audiences’ hearts,” she says.

Yen will leave for the Bahamas on August 1 and plans to travel alone. She will also be her own hairstylist and make-up artist, and will select her own clothes for the pageant’s many segments which run over the course of three weeks. The finale of the event is set to take place August 23.

Representatives of Hoan Vu Co., the agency in charge of selecting the Vietnamese contestant for the pageant, and Duong Truong Thien Ly, Hoan Vu Co. national director and Yen’s pageant consultant, will travel to the Bahamas during the final week of the competition to support her.

Ly was named second runner-up at the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 competition and won the People’s Choice Award at the Miss World 2008 contest.

A familiar face on the covers of magazines and at major fashion shows, Yen is no stranger to success. She was one of the top 10 finalists at the Miss Vietnam Photo 2006 contest, won the gold prize in the national Vietnam Supermodel 2008 competition, and was first runner-up at the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 pageant.

Compared to other Vietnamese contestants who compete in international beauty contests, Yen will have ample time to prepare – almost four months – with Hoan Vu Co. helping her all the way.

She says the intensive coaching, which includes training in how to choose the most flattering hairstyles, makeup and outfits, as well as how to communicate well, has steadied her nerves and bolstered her confidence. The agency also helps Yen with her foreign language skills and provides an exercise regime to keep her fit and healthy.

But despite her preparation, Yen says she still feels pressure as the representative of the country which hosted last year’s Miss Universe pageant. “I’ve learned not to feel too much pressure and try to be in the best of moods,” says Yen.

“However, I feel a little bit worried when people have high expectations of me, but nervousness adds to the thrill and strengthens my resolve to win the contest.”

Thuy Lam, Miss Universe Vietnam 2008, was one of the top 15 finalists at last year’s contest and international online bookmakers say Yen looks to be among the top contenders for the next Miss Universe crown.

“I can’t tell what the results will be, but I’ll make the most of what I have,” Yen says.

She will bring 12 dresses to the pageant, including an evening gown created by top designer Nguyen Cong Tri and three traditional yet innovative ao dai (long Vietnamese tunics) from the ABC fashion line.

“Yen is a professional model whose confidence and experience will demonstrate all of the designers’ intentions and improve her image,” says designer Tri, who was chosen by Hoan Vu Co. to create dresses for Yen to wear during the contest.

Tri added that the brightly colored gowns, which were inspired by the sea and mermaids and sewn in two months, cost US$15,000 in total. According to Tri, the dresses will compliment Yen’s beauty and image as a sensual, chic, elegant model.

The pageant hopeful comes from a family of glamor queens. Yen’s eldest sister, Hoang Hoa, was the runner-up in the Miss Ao Dai contest in 1995, and her other sister, Hoang Oanh, has also worked as a professional model.

Success came early to Yen, yet without too much hype or hoopla, thanks to a career strategy of diversifying into film and other areas rather than sticking solely to the fashion industry.

She played a young model in the “A Cappella” television series in 2008, and plans to delve into a singing career later this year.

Yen says she has turned down several other lucrative work offers in order to keep her sights fixed firmly on this year’s Miss Universe contest and perform her best.

Reported by Da Ly