The organizing board of Miss World Vietnam 2021 has made an allowance in the biennial beauty pageant’s regulations for women who have undergone plastic surgery to participate in the contest.

The new allowance, based on a government decree, was introduced at the competition’s press conference in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday.

This is the second iteration of Miss World Vietnam – a pageant held to select a Vietnamese representative for the Miss World competition and other international beauty contests. 

The first Miss World Vietnam edition was held in 2019.

Themed ‘Suc Song Viet Nam’ (Vietnamese Vitality), this year’s competition will focus on volunteer projects and advertising the country as a safe and friendly destination in order to help boost the local tourism industry.

The pageant’s preliminary round is scheduled to take place in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi this September, with the semifinals planned for October. 

The finale will be held in the tourist city of Vung Tau in southern Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province in November.

Judges of Miss World Vietnam 2021 are introduced at the beauty contest’s press conference in Ho Chi Minh City, March 31, 2021. Photo: Phuong Nam / Tuoi Tre

Judges of the beauty contest will include Le Xuan Son, editor-in-chief of Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper, Miss Vietnam 1992 Ha Kieu Anh, Miss Vietnam 2018 Tran Tieu Vy, Miss World Vietnam 2019 Luong Thuy Linh, singer Dam Vinh Hung, and two more people who have yet to be named.

In addition to the crown, the Miss World Vietnam 2021 title-holder will receive VND300 million (US$13,000) in cash.

The contest’s first runner-up will be awarded VND150 million ($6,500), while the second runner-up will receive VND100 million ($4,330).

The contest will also recognize the contestants with a handful of other awards, including Beauty with a Purpose, Talented Beauty, ‘Ao dai’ (Vietnam's traditional long gown) Beauty, Sea Beauty, Fashion Beauty, Media Beauty, Sports Beauty, and the Beauty with the most beautiful skin.

The contestant who wins the Beauty with a Purpose title will secure a wild card entry into the top five finalists.