Top three: Pham Thi Huong receives congratulations from the two runner-ups after being crowned Viet Nam Miss Universe 2015.

NHA TRANG (VNS) — Pham Thi Huong overcame 43 other candidates to be crowned Viet Nam Miss Universe 2015. The 24-year-old from Hai Phong won the competition in Nha Trang on Saturday night.

Huong was previously the first runner-up of the Miss World Sport 2014 in Russia, and made the top 10 of Miss Viet Nam 2014.

At a Q&A at the final, Huong, a lecturer from the Sai Gon College of Arts, Culture and Tourism, was asked "What is the most challenging thing that you want to overcome?" by a jury member, photographer Quoc Huy.

She responded: "It's to win myself. Another big challenge is to pursue my passions, my dreams as well as aiming to become a woman with brainpower, dignity and beauty."

Huong also grabbed the Miss Swimsuit title thanks to her curvy figure and stunning professional model skills.

Alongside the VND2.2-billion crown, the beauty queen has been awarded a set of jewellery and VND200 million (US$8,900) in cash. She will live in a luxury apartment in HCM City during her year as Viet Nam Miss Universe.

Strike a pose: Huong also won the Miss Swimsuit title thanks to her curvy figure and stunning professional model skills. — Photos courtesy of Viet Nam Miss Universe 2015 fanpage

Huong will represent Viet Nam at the Miss Universe 2015 pageant which will likely to be held in December in Shanghai, China.

Ngo Tra My from Ha Noi and Dang Thi Le Hang from Da Nang were the first and second runners-up, respectively.

The finale, which took place at the Crown Centre, was opened with the ao dai performance of all 44 contestants, who presented the embroidered creations of the Giac Mo Hong Hac ( Flamingos' Dream) collection by designer Thuan Viet.

The top 15 contestants then stripped down to their bikinis for the swimwear performance, with the top 10 proceeding to the evening dress show.

The night also featured Vietnamese singers Ho Ngoc Ha, Dam Vinh Hung and Thu Minh.

This is the second edition of the Viet Nam Miss Universe, following the first one held in 2008. — VNS