Miss Universe to come to Viet Nam in 2008

Beauties from across the world will flock to Viet Nam next year as the country hosts the Miss Universe Pageant 2008. Hoan Vu Joint Stock Company (UniCorp) made the announcement on November 27 at a signing ceremony in Sheraton Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City .

Beauties from across the world will flock to Viet Nam next year as the country hosts the Miss Universe Pageant 2008.

Hoan Vu Joint Stock Company (UniCorp) made the announcement on November 27 at a signing ceremony in Sheraton Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City .

The partnership with the Miss Universe Organisation will see UniCorp take on the role of local partner in hosting the 57 th annual Miss Universe Pageant in the coastal city of Nha Trang , central Khanh Hoa province next July.

This is the first ever time Viet Nam has been chosen to host the renowned annual international event.

Attending the signing ceremony were representatives from the Government, the People’s Committees of Ho Chi Minh City and Khanh Hoa, president of the Miss Universe Organisation, Paula Mary Shugart, Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori, Miss USA 2007 Rachel Renee Smith, and Miss Teen USA 2007 Hilary Carol Cruz.

Organisers made their decision after a trip to Viet Nam in August this year, led by Paula Mary Shugart, and a subsequent visit to New York by UniCorp in early October 2007.

Viet Nam met a number of criteria set by the Miss Universe Organisation, including support from the Government and people, tourism facilities and improved infrastructure, organisers said.

Hosting the international beauty contest presents Viet Nam with an excellent opportunity to attract tourists and introduce the country to potentially billions of televisions viewers worldwide, the president of the Miss Universe Organisation said.

“ Viet Nam has shown unprecedented growth in recent years, both in the business and tourism sectors,” Shugart said. “This worldwide telecast will mark the first event of its kinds to be centred in Viet Nam which of course will have special significance to the US audience.”

This sentiment was echoed by Chairman and General Director of UniCorp Nguyen Quoc Toan. “UniCorp is delighted that it has reached agreement with Miss Universe Organisation to host the Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang. We believe that the beauty and culture of hospitality of Viet Nam will perfectly compliment the pageant, and we look forward to showing the contestants and the world our exciting, vibrant and picturesque country.”

As required by the Miss Universe Organisation, a 7,000-seat indoor theatre is being completed to host the grand finale at Diamond Bay Resort in the city.

(Source: VNA)