Slim pickings: Phuong Mai (top)and Nguyen Huu Long are the winners at the Viet Nam's Supermodel 2012 competition. — File Photo

HA NOI — Model Nguyen Phuong Mai and her male colleague Nguyen Huu Long have won gold medals in Viet Nam's Supermodel 2012 competition which had its stunning finale in Ha Noi on Sunday night.

From her many experiences on catwalks, Mai wowed judges with her confidence, while Long impressed them with his perfect figure and ability to control the stage.

Mai, who started her modelling career in Ha Noi as a teenager, was among the 10 finalists of the Asian Supermodel contest in 2009. She was also the only Vietnamese representative at the world modelling contest called The Look of the Year in Italy in 2011.

Not only walking down runways, Mai also joined the high profile pageant Miss Viet Nam World 2010 and was among the 15 finalists of the competition.

The 22-year-old woman also challenged herself in acting by joining the TV series 13 Female Prisoners.

The model and actress said she deserved the golden prize as she spent five months intensely preparing for the competition. "So far, the Viet Nam's Supermodel 2012 is the first contest that required such extensive preparation."

During the finale that took place at Ha Noi's Quan Ngua Sport Palace, Mai, with 27 other finalists took part in the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress), swimwear, and evening gown performances. The models also were asked to dance. During this challenge, Mai showed off a hot Oriental belly dance, which received much acclaim from the judges.

"She dances like a professional belly dancer," journalist and judge Nguyen Cong Khe commented.

Long is also an accomplished model; he won the title The Best Body in the Supermodel 2011 contest.

"I feel myself maturing as I experience different contests. This year's supermodel title will be a great step in my career," said the 1.86m-tall model.

Both Mai and Long, who are currently based in HCM City, will receive VND200 million (nearly US$10,000) in cash.

Beside the gold prize, two silver prizes were granted to models Dieu Hien and Dinh Minh Quan, while four bronze prizes were given to Thu An, Cong Tuan, Phuong Dung and Luu Huynh.

Viet Nam's Supermodel 2012 was launched in mid-May, attracting hundreds of potential Vietnamese models to vie for the title. — VNS