Another 20 contestants from the north and central regions will be selected on Thursday in Hanoi.

Of the 15 short-listed contestants, 13 candidates were selected from a field of 40 who took part in three competitions, including the ao dai (traditional dress), swimwear and evening gown.

The other two contestants were exempted from the round because of their past achievements in national beauty contests.

Hoang Tu Hung, member of the jury, said this year the number of contestants who possess well-shaped bodies has increased dramatically compared to previous years.

A total of 300 contestants were selected during the primary round (first round), of which 170 were selected from the north and 130 from the south.

The southern final round took place on July 19 – 21 in Ho Chi Minh City, and the northern final round will take place from July 22-24.

The final round of the Miss Vietnam 2010 Contest, with this year's theme “Phu Nu Vietnam – Nghin Nam Huong Sac” (Vietnamese Women – Thousands of Years of Beauty), will be organized on August 1 – 15.

The final day of the contest will be held on August 14 at Quang Ninh's Tuan Chau International Resort.

The Miss Vietnam 2010 contest is held biennially by Tien Phong newspaper. It marks the 1,000th year anniversary of Hanoi.

The contest this year is co-hosted by the Quang Ninh People's Committee in cooperation with MV Corporation and the Vietnam Digital Television (VTC), Tuan Chau Corporation, Tien Phong Joint Stock Company, and Open Media Company.

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