Vietnam’s Truong Nam Thanh has won the Mr. Manhunt Popularity at the annual Manhunt International modeling contest in Seoul, South Korea.

Truong Nam Thanh in traditional dress ao dai

On Sunday he polled over 16,000 votes on the contest website and was followed by Chen JianFeng of China and Wu TianChao of Hong Kong.

Later he took part in an auction to raise funds for environmental protection in Korea and donated an ao dai designed by Tuan Hai.

Thanh, 20, had won the Best Body prize and finished in the top 10 at last year’s Vietnam Supermodel Contest.

He won the Model Star 2011 contest held by PL Modeling Agency earlier this year in Ho Chi Minh City.

He has acted in TV soaps like “Cuoi Duong Bang” (At The End of The Runway), “Cam Hung Hoan Hao” (The Perfect Inspiration), and “Xin Loi Em Chi La...” (Sorry, I’m Just…)

Vietnam has sent contestants to Manhunt International in the past -- like Nguyen Binh Minh in 2002 and Ngo Tien Doan in 2007.

Doan’s sixth place has been the best result so far.

Since its launch in 1987, the contest has become one of the premier competitions in the world for men for discovering modeling talents.

This year it has attracted 47 contestants from around the world.

The final will be held at the Millenium Hall tonight, October 10.