Styled to shine: Model Phuong Mai will be one of 18 female and male contestants in the final round of the annual Viet Nam Supermodel Contest, beginning today. — VNS File Photo Ly Vo Phu Hung

HCM CITY — Phuong Mai, who finished in the top 10 in the 2009 Asian Super Model contest will be among 18 women and men contestants in the final round of the annual Viet Nam Supermodel Contest beginning today.

The 22-year-old also finished among the top 15 in the 2010 Miss Viet Nam pageant.

She and the others will compete in photography, dance sport, and costume rounds in Phan Rang, central province of Ninh Thuan.

In a contest in HCM City, their problem-solving skills will be tested as they handle hypothetical situations that may arise in their modelling careers.

Both events will go on from today until June 5.

Fashion designers Anh Thu, Tuan Tran, and Kim Khanh will act as style consultants for the contest.

The judges include model Thanh Hang, designer Cong Tri, film director Le Hoang, Viet Nam's dance sport queen Khanh Thi, and director of the John Robert Powers acting and modelling school, Vo Thi Xuan Trang.

The jury will select 10 out of the 18 for the grand final to be held at the Quan Ngua Gymnasium in Ha Noi on June 26.

There they will model on the catwalk and appear in ao dai (traditional long dress), swimsuits, and evening dresses.

The jury as well as the audiences will vote for the top male and female contestants who will receive trophies and cash prizes of VND200 million (US$9,600) each.

Highlights of the contest will be broadcast on Viet Nam Television's VTV6 channel every Saturday from May 26, while the finale will be shown live.

The Viet Nam Supermodel Contest is organised by VTV, Cat Tien Sa Company, and Thoi Trang Tre (Youth Fashion) magazine.

This year, it attracted more than 1,000 amateur and professional models between 18 and 25 who took part in qualifying rounds in Ha Noi and HCM City earlier this month. — VNS