Hanoi (VNA) – A beauty pageant will be held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 26 to find the first Miss Tourism Vietnam to represent the country at the Miss Tourism International contest.

Head of the Travel Department under the Vietnam Tourism Administration (VTA), Vu The Binh, told the press on June 11 that Miss Tourism Vietnam was aimed to broadcast Vietnamese cultural traditions and tourism sites all over the world, hoping to attract more visitors to the country.

Binh said the contest places importance on the candidates’ knowledge of tourism and they will have to impress audiences not only with their performances but also their understanding of Vietnam's highlights.

Candidates for the final have been selected from about 500 Vietnamese beauties in and outside the country.

The Miss Tourism Vietnam contest is co-sponsored by the Asia Film Advertising Joint-stock Company, the VTA, the Saigon Tourism Corporation and the Vietnam Airlines.