The final will also be broadcast live on VTV1 and VTV4, announced the organising board at a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City on June 6.

The annual event is to highlight the beauty of Vietnamese women from cities and provinces across the country.

The contestants will compete in four categories including performances of Ao dai - Vietnam ’s traditional long dress, swimsuits and evening gown dresses, and a Q&A session.

The winner of Miss Vietnam 2012 will be awarded a 300 million VND cash prize, with the runner up receiving 150 million VND and third place collecting 100 million VND.

The other contests on the sidelines of the pageant will be the Miss Talent, Miss Beach, Miss Ao Dai, Best Face and Best Contestant as voted for by the audience. Each winner will receive 30 million VND.

The contest , which is co-organised by Tien Phong (the Vanguard newspaper) and Da Nang People’s Committee, will introduce the country’s beauties, who must be from between 18-27 years old, single, at least 1.62m tall and a high-school graduate.

(Source: VNA)