Vietnam to host Miss Universe 2008 for first time

Miss Teen USA 2007 Hilary Carol Cruz (L) and Miss USA 2007 Rachel Renee Smith (R) at the signing ceremony yesterday By HIEN NGUYEN (SGT-HCMC) Hoan Vu Joint Stock Company (Unicorp) and Miss Universe pageant chair Paula Mary Shugart cut a deal in HCMC yesterday marking the first time that Vietnam will play host to the Miss Universe contest next year. Unicorp will partner with the Miss Universe Organization to organize the 57th annual Miss Universe Pageant in Nha Trang in the central province of Khanh Hoa in July 2008. Attending the signing ceremony were Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori, Miss USA 2007 Rachel Renee Smith and Miss Teen USA 2007 Hilary Carol Cruz. Le Xuan Than, vice chairman of Khanh Hoa Province, said the forthcoming event would provide a good chance for Vietnam to introduce its image and tourism to the world. To prepare for the event, Khanh Hoa authorities last Thursday signed a decision setting up a 22-member organizing committee for Miss Universe 2008. Other countries like Japan, Spain and United Arab Emirates failed in their bids to host the event. Organizers made up their mind after a fact-finding trip to Vietnam in August this year, led by Paula Mary Shugart and a subsequent visit to New York by Unicorp in early October. Vietnam met a number of criteria set by the Miss Universe Organization, including support from the Government and people, tourism facilities and improved infrastructure. Shugart said at the signing ceremony yesterday that hosting the Miss Universe 2008 would present Vietnam with an excellent opportunity to attract millions of tourists and introduce the country to billions of potential television viewers worldwide. According to organizers, around one billion television viewers will watch the Miss Universe event in Vietnam that will be broadcast live. The country’s image will be aired for eight minutes on NBC channel. “This worldwide telecast will mark the first event of its kind to be centered in Vietnam. I’m very happy to have the Miss Universe Pageant 2008 in Nha Trang,” she added. The Vietnamese side will spend at least US$7 million on Miss Universe 2008 copyright. The Miss Universe attracts contestants from around 80 nations. The contest this year was held in Mexico where Miss Japan Riyo Mori was crowned Miss Universe 2007. http://www.saigontimes.com.vn/