A young woman who was named runner-up at an international sports beauty contest last year has won the crown of Miss Universe Vietnam and will represent her country at the 2016 Miss Universe.

Pham Thi Huong, 24, was crowned in the finale of the Vietnamese contest that took place at Diamond Bay Resort and Spa, located in Nha Trang City, which is the heart of the south-central province of Khanh Hoa, on Saturday night.

Huong, who hails from the northern city of Hai Phong, was one of the brightest candidates for the crown thanks to her good looks and gorgeous body measurements of 78-63-93. She also claimed the Sea Pageant Title. Huong is currently a lecturer at the Saigon College of Arts, Culture and Tourism, according to newswire VnExpress.

Huong temporarily keeps the crown worth VND2.2 billion (US$96,322) and took home a cash award of VND200 million ($8,756). She is also entitled to the use of a luxury car and apartment in Ho Chi Minh City during her coronation tenure, VnExpress reported.

The 1.73m-tall beauty was named the first runner-up at the 2014 Miss World Sport, a beauty pageant in the framework of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and made her way to the Top 10 of Miss Vietnam the same year.

The 2015 Miss Universe Vietnam first and second runner-up titles went to Ngo Tra My and Dang Thi Le Hang.

The finale, which aired live on the national broadcaster’s VTV6 channel, featured 44 contestants competing in “ao dai” (traditional long gowns), swimsuits, evening gowns, and the question-and-answer session.

Extra prizes of the 2015 Miss Universe Vietnam contest:

- The People’s Choice Beauty: Le Thi Sang

- The most beautiful contestant in “ao dai”: Nguyen Tran Khanh Van

- The Sea Pageant Title: Pham Thi Huong

- The Most Photogenic Beauty Title: Do Tran Khanh Ngan

- The Friendliest Beauty Title: Tran Hang Nga

Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Pham Thi Huong (center) poses with the pageant’s first and second runners-up. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The finalists compete in “ao dai” (traditional long gowns). Photo: Tuoi Tre

Pham Thi Huong won the Sea Pageant Title. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Tran Khanh Van nabbed the Beauty in “Ao Dai” Title. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Do Tran Khanh Ngan won the Most Photogenic Beauty Title. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Tran Hang Nga went home with the Friendliest Beauty Title. Photo: Tuoi Tre   Le Thi Sang was named the People’s Choice Beauty. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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