LookAtVietnam – Miss World Viet Nam Tran Thi Huong Giang placed second in the Miss World Top Model Fast Track competition ahead of December 12’s Miss World final.

Breathtaking: Miss world Viet Nam Tran Thi Huong Giang carries the hope of Asian contestants into next week’s Miss World contest. — File Photo

Giang lost out to Miss World Mexico Perla Beltran in the modeling competition but defeated top competitors from Barbados, France and host nation South Africa, in modeling gowns by local South African designers. Giang was also the first runner-up in the Miss World Top Model contest last week.

With her win, Beltran automatically progresses into the Miss World semi-final.

The Top Model title has been a harbinger of the Miss World competition, Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova and Miss World 2007 Zi Lin Zhang both prior winners of the Top Model title.

Five winners of four other side competitions who are fast-tracked into the Miss World semi-final are Miss Japan (Sport), Miss Canada and Miss Sierra Leone (Talent), and Miss Gibraltar (Beach Beauty).

The last Vietnamese contestants to compete in the Miss World semi-finals were Mai Phuong Thuy in 2006, Nguyen Thi Huyen in 2004, and Pham Mai Phuong in 2002.

Giang, who stands 1.8m and has vital statistics of 86-61-92, is 22 years old and is studying journalism as well as working as a professional model. She competed for the titles of Miss Viet Nam in 2004 and 2006 and Miss Asia 2007 in Hong Kong, and she was second runner-up in the competition for Miss Viet Nam Global 2009.

“Miss Viet Nam is very beautiful. She will be Miss World 2009 because the Vietnamese are very beautiful and very friendly. Good luck, Miss Viet Nam,” commented Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza on Globalbeauties.com on November 30.

Giang has been successful so far due to her confidence, performance and great smile, said Thuy Nga, director of the Viet Nam Elite modeling agency. “Giang is really bright because she knows how to take advantage of her experiences in many other contests.”

At the Miss World finals on Saturday, Giang will wear a dress by designer Thuan Viet and an evening gown from Son collection. Her traditional national dress will be inspired by Au Co.

“With these specially-designed dresses, I hope to be as bright as the other contestants from around the world,” Giang wrote by email from the South Africa.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News