In 2002 and 2004, Pham Mai Phuong and Nguyen Thi Huyen were among the Top 20 and 15 respectively of Miss World, seen as the greatest victory for Vietnamese participation. In addition to Phuong and Huyen, many other contestants have been sent to beauty contests around the world. Vietnam has not yet brought home any crown, but contestants still religiously attend.

According to Elite Vietnam, which has sent 42 Vietnamese hopefuls to international competitions, it is an expensive game. Vu Huong Giang, Vietnamese entry at Miss World 2005, was sent by Elite at a great expense. Thuy Nga, managing director of Elite Vietnam refused to announce details, but revealed that it is now much higher to send contestants than it was previously for entrants Nguyen Thi Huyen and Pham Mai Phuong.

In 2003, Pond Vietnam sponsored Miss Vietnam Mai Phuong competing at Miss World 2002 held in the UK with US$30,000. In 2004, Elite Vietnam and Tien Phong Newspaper together shared US$12,000 expenses for Miss Vietnam 2004 Nguyen Thi Huyen to attend Miss World 2004 in China. This year, Elite Vietnam has to suffer the entire investment for Vu Huong Giang, and according to Thuy Nga this is not the first time. Figures have increase to hundreds of thousands of US dollars. The question is, what profit do sponsors receive?

According to Thuy Nga, her company has received profit indirectly as entrants help to market the Elite agency. Elite aims to be a professional producer in the beauty industry, and according to Thuy Nga it also plans to develop into a combined beauty and modeling industry in 2006. In addition, Elite’s entrants listed at international contests, attract investors at greater numbers.

(Source: Nguoi Lao Dong)