Mau Thanh Thuy (left) and Vu Tuan Viet (right), two shortlisted contestants, wait with bated breath for the jury's decision.— VNS Photo Van Dat

HCM CITY (VNS) — Freelance model Mau Thi Thanh Thuy has won Viet Nam's Next Top Model 2013, beating Le Van Kien, Cha Mi and Tuan Viet in the final round.

The event was broadcast live on Viet Nam Television from HCM City's Rach Mieu Sport Complex on Sunday night.

The 20-year-old model, who was more confident than the other three contestants in both the catwalk and photo shoot on the stage, organised by British photographer Lee Powers, has improved her chances of becoming a professional model and entering the international fashion industry.

Jay Alexander, catwalk expert during 18 seasons of America's Next Top Model contest, agreed with Vietnamese jury persons – supermodel Thanh Hang, fashion designer Do Manh Cuong, and makeup expert Nam Trung – that Thuy's confidence during her performance makes her a winner, not only in this contest but in future ones too.

According to the judge, the 2013 Viet Nam's Next Top Model winner has all the qualities required for becoming a professional model. The 1.77-metre-tall student at a hospitality school in HCM City, who triumphed over thousands of contestants, had caught the eye of fashion experts during the pre-qualifying rounds.

Several celebrities from Vietnamese showbiz, including Ho Ngoc Ha, Kyo York, Xuan Lan, Ho Vinh Khoa, and previous winners of Viet Nam's Next Top Model, also attended the event.— VNS