In an easy-going and self-confident manner, the Vietnamese entrant highlighted the sense of humour of Vietnamese and affirmed that anyone who tries Vietnamese cooking will never forget its taste.

Hoang Yen and her friends at Miss Universe 2009.

The organising board of the Miss Universe 2009 pageant began shooting interview video clips with contestants on August 3. All of them had to answer three questions: Tell us interesting things about your country that others may not know; what has concerned you the most about participating in Miss Universe? if you had three wishes, what would they be?

The answer to the first question by Vietnam’s Hoang Yen was: “Vietnam is our country. Perhaps you don’t know that our people have a great sense of humour. There is one thing that you will never forget in Vietnam, and that is food. Vietnamese food is very delicious. If you’ve tasted it once, you will never forget!”

The Vietnamese representative said she wasn’t concerned about the competition or challenges in this pageant but the long flight to the Bahamas. However, Hoang Yen said that terrible feeling disappeared when she arrived in the Bahamas.

About the three wishes, the 22-year-old girl said: “The first thing, I always wish that our world would not have war, crime and everybody could live in peace. The second thing, I wish that my family is always happy and my parents are always healthy. I think two wishes are enough for me, because I live for my family and my parents.”

Perhaps the Vietnamese entrant is the only one who didn’t use all three wishes. Compared to other Asian contestants, Hoang Yen spoke English quite well.

The question about three wishes helped expose the personalities of contestants. Like Hoang Yen, many beauties devoted their first wish to big things like peace for the world and happiness for everyone. However, some candidates had very natural wishes. For instance, Miss South Korean wished to become Miss Universe 2009 though she said she was afraid that she would have to live alone in New York for one year if she was the winner.

Miss Colombia wished to be able to eat everything but still maintain her shape.

VietNamNet/VNE