The richly embroidered “ao dai” (traditional long gown) worn by Miss Universe Vietnam Truong Thi May is among the top 5 national costumes which Missosology, the #1 online magazine for beauty pageants, believes will wow the public.

“It is richly embroidered with the fabric so classy and elegant and so royal. A real head turning costume,” Missosology wrote about May’s “ao dai”, which it selected as one of the five national costumes to watch out for at this year’s pageant. The pageant will be held in Moscow, Russia.

The other four National Costumes are the tsarist Russian costume, the extremely ornate yet controversial Chinese dragon costume, the stylish medieval Swedish costume, and the sparkling Venezuelan costume.

Designed by celebrated designer Thuan Viet, May’s “ao dai” features intricate brocade patterns, ancient lotuses, and ornate hand-embroidered details. It has two principal colors, bronzy yellow and dark red, and is sprinkled with Swarovski crystals.

Viet said he chose to feature the lotus as its beauty represents the grace of Vietnamese women. It is also associated with Buddhism and sublimity, and will bring good luck to May, a devout Buddhist and strict, long-time vegetarian.

The only ethnic minority model in Ho Chi Minh City, 25-year-old May was the first runner-up at the 2006 Miss Photogenic contest and the 2007 Miss Ethnic Vietnam pageant sponsored by Gioi Phu Nu (World of Women) magazine.

She was born in Phnom Penh in Cambodia and grew up in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang. Her younger sister, brother, and cousins are all Buddhist monks and nuns. May once said that if it’s her destiny, she will also become a nun in the future.

Votes can be cast for May to help her earn a ticket to the 2013 Miss Universe semifinal at http://www.missuniverse.com/members/contestants/year:2013 or  http://www.missuniverse.com/members/profile/657675/year:2013

The final is set to take place at 8am ICT on Nov 9.