Miss Universe pageant will distinguish Vietnam: Deputy PM

Contestants of the Miss Universe Vietnam 2008 pageant vying to serve as the country’s representative for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant The successful hosting of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant will broadcast Vietnam’s image as well as its unique traditions and culture to the world, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has said.

Deputy PM Nhan told a meeting earlier this week the pageant is a national event and it serves as an opportunity to publicize the special qualities of Vietnam, particularly to promote the domestic tourism industry. He asked all relevant agencies to fulfill their tasks and assist the administration of central coastal Khanh Hoa province and the local organizing committee in hosting the event. As the economy is still facing steep challenges, the state did not allocate a budget for the event. The organizing committee should instead generate income from advertising, said Nhan, adding that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism still could request the state for an advance if necessary to organize the event. Representatives at the meeting, including government officials and members of the organizing board, discussed the contents of a nine-minute clip that will be broadcast live at the event on American channel NBC as well as many other television channels around the world. They encouraged local businesses to participate in making the clip in order to present the best images of Vietnam to the world. Organizers also confirmed at the meeting that work on infrastructure projects necessary to host the event in Khanh Hoa’s capital of Nha Trang are going as scheduled. The Crown Convention Center, a deluxe theater with 7,500 seats, is currently under construction with the support of US specialists and is expected to be finished by June 15. High-quality roads and lighting systems are also being built. Five-star accommodations for all contestants and members of the organizing board are already completed. The Ministry of Public Security pledged to maintain security nationwide during the beauty contest, while the Ministry of Information and Communications was given the responsibility of promoting the event to international audiences and tourists in conjunction with local media outlets. Nguyen Cong Khe, Thanh Nien’s Editor-in-Chief, said preparations for the traditional ao dai show in Ho Chi Minh City, the swimsuit competition in Nha Trang, the Gala Dinner and the charity gift auction are all finished. On behalf of Miss Universe Vietnam’s organizing board, Khe promised that the board would select the best contestant to represent Vietnam at the prestigious international pageant. Reported by Da Ly ttp://www.thanhniennews.com