Hanoi (VNA) – After the launch of a design contest of Vietnam’s national costume to be on show at the Miss Universe 2019, the organising board said on May 2 that this year’s designs have more vigour and creative compareꦏd to the previous years.

First runner-up of the Vietnam Universe 2017 Hoang Thuy to represent Vietnam at the Miss Universe 2019 (Photo courtesy of the organisers) A representative of the jury said most of the designs pay attention to the originality and visual effects during catwalk in order to impress the audience rather than a just beautiful dress. With the theme of “the quintessence of Vietnam” and first runner-up Hoang Thuy of the Vietnam Universe 2017 appointed as the country’s representative at the Miss Universe 2019, the organisers hope that Thuy could wear a stunning costume which shows Vietnam’s spirit and beauty in the new era, following the success of “Cloud lady”, “Vietnam’s soul” and “Bread” that Vietnamese contestants brought to previous Miss Universe editions, thus promoting Vietnam’s images to international friends. Inspired by Vietnam’s traditional vehicles, Nguyen Quoc Viet’s design “Xich lo” (Cyclo) delivers an image of a Vietnam a time long ago by amid the development of the modern life. Cyclo used to be a symbol of Vietnam’s major urban areas. Now it is favoured mostly by tourists as they could look at local streets in the best way. Viet’s design skilfully boasts the physical beauty of the Vietnamese contestant, creating a highlight and originality as compared to the national costumes of other countries and territories at the Miss Universe 2019. Meanwhile, a design titled “Choi trau” (Buffalo fighting) by Nguyen Dang Tung stands out by placing stylised buffalo’s horns at the contestant’s shoulders, combining with over-the-knee boots and buns. Red and yellow – the two colours of the national flag – are its key colours. It is inspired by buffalo fighting in Do Son, Hai Phong, which is among long-standing festivals in Vietnam, so the design is filled with Vietnam’s belief. Nhat Binh ao dai (traditional long dress), which was formerly worn by concubines in the feudal era, is the inspiration of Nguyen Van Toan’s design “Quoc sac mau nghi” (Mother of the nation). Coffee brew in a filter is a simple and common type of coffee in Vietnam, which is loved by people of various ages, as well as draws attention of international friends. That is the reason Tran Nguyen Minh Duc came up with his design “Coffee with condensed milk in a filter”, in a bid to introduce Vietnamese style of drinking coffee to international friends. The design focuses on visual effects. From Vietnam’s legend of Thanh Giong, one of four immortals of Vietnamese folk belief, Truong Kieu Vi creates her design’s “Giong” with bamboo as the main material and green and yellow being the main colours. The beauty of feminism is expressed through two huge horses at the back, and bamboo cane and overskirt. “Ngoc nga sac Viet” (Vietnam’s jewel-like beauty) by Nguyen Thi Yen Nhi presents Vietnam’s beauty across the nation, from terraced fields and one-pillared pagoda in the north, to the dynamism and modern of the southern region with high-rise buildings like Landmark 81 and Bitexco Financial Tower, Ben Thanh market and Notre-Dame Cathedral. The organising board said this year’s designs reflect youthfulness as many contestants are high school students. If most of the contestants were male last year, this time records the even number of participants of both genders, with outstanding ideas and designs. They learned from experience of two previous editions of the design contest, making this year’s event more competitive and unpredictable. As Vietnam’s appointed representative at the Miss Universe 2019, Thuy is among the jury to choose the most suitable design. The design can be submitted until June 15. In addition, public voting has been open and five designs with the most votes will qualify for Top 15 and earn a chance to make a presentation with the jury./.