Đặng Bích Lan, winner of last year's above 51 age group at Mrs Áo Dài Europe, presents gifts to young patients at the National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. — Photo nguoihanoi.com.vn
HÀ NỘI — The second Mrs Áo Dài in Europe contest will be held in May 2020 in Dresden, Germany, the organisers announced at a recent press conference held in Dresden.
Phạm Gia Hậu, Chairman of Việt Nam’s Culture and Art Association in the Czech Republic, head of the organising board, said the first contest in Prague 2018 attracted the attention of the Vietnamese community and host country.
Next year’s contest will call on contestants of any nationality, above 35, who will show off their beauty and talent on the catwalk in an áo dài (traditional Vietnamese long dress).
The organising board intended to introduce typical features of Vietnamese áo dài in history, representing each region, such as Hà Nội, Huế and Sài Gòn, Hậu said.
“Next year’s topic will be áo dài from Hà Nội style in the 1960s.
“We hope the contest will entertain women living all over Europe, to promote Vietnamese culture and strengthen the solidarity among the Vietnamese community in Europe.”
Đặng Chung Thủy, an official from the Vietnamese Embassy in Germany stressed that the contest next year would be one of a series of activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Germany and Việt Nam.
At the first contest in 2018, Trần Hoàng Mai Anh from Poland won first prize in the 31 to 50 age category, while Đặng Bích Lan from Germany won in the above 51 age group.
As well as organising the contest every two years in different countries, the organisers, contestants and winners have hosted various charity activities in and outside Việt Nam. — VNS