The winner of the Miss Vietnam pageant which will be held in August in the central city Danang will receive a smaller cash prize due to economic downturn.

Ngoc Han, Miss Vietnam 2010

According to the organisers, the cash prize will be reduced to VND300 million (USD14,000), down from last year’s VND500 million (USD24,000). The organisers also allow the hosts Danang to hold a small beauty contest to choose their own representative.

Miss Vietnam this year will walk away with a crown and VND300 million, with the runner-up receiving VND150 million (USD7,000) and third placed contest getting VND100 million (USD4,800).

The contest also give a VND30 million (USD1,400) award for winners of the Miss Talent, Beach Beauty or Miss Ao dai categories.

At the press conference on June 5, the organisers fielded questions related to recent scandals that have blighted Vietnam’s pageant and modeling industry, including nude photo scandals and prostitution rings.

Answering the question why the winners receive little career guidance after the contest, the organisers said they couldn’t control everything and that they only offered advice on social issues and activities that had moral or social value.

The final round of this year’s Miss Vietnam will be held from August 12-25 in Danang City.