A young ethnic woman from the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak took home the crown of Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 on Saturday evening after a sweeping performance in the grand finale.

Forty-two contestants from across Vietnam shone their brightest in the final night of Miss Universe Vietnam 2017, held in the resort city of Nha Trang in south-central Khanh Hoa Province.

H’Hen Nie, a 25-year-old contestant of ethnic E De descent, took home the VND2.7 billion (US$119,000) crown of the competition together with a cash prize of VND200 million ($8,800).

The Ho Chi Minh City-based freelance model is dubbed ‘the black pearl’ of Vietnam thanks to her vigorous brown complexion, athletic shape, short hair and powerful strutting skills.

Professional models Hoang Thi Thuy and Mau Thi Thanh Thuy became the pageant’s first and second runner-up, respectively.

(From left) First runner-up Hoang Thi Thuy, Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H’Hen Nie, and second runner-up Mau Thi Thanh Thuy wave at the audience after the coronation. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Hoang Thi Thuy was the champion of the 2011 cycle of Vietnam’s Next Top Model, a modeling reality television series, while Mau Thi Thanh Thuy was the winner of the show’s 2013 cycle.

This year is only the third time Miss Universe Vietnam has been organized to select Vietnam’s representatives to enter international pageants, with the other two times being in 2008 and 2015.

The 2017 edition of the competition was suspended for two months by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in November after it drew criticism for holding the semifinal in typhoon-hit Nha Trang.

Typhoon Damrey hit Vietnam’s south-central coast on November 4, cutting off power, unroofing houses and disrupting traffic in the provinces from Phu Yen to Ninh Thuan, with Nha Trang among the affected locations.

A total of 106 people in the region lost their lives to the natural disaster, with 25 others still missing.

H’Hen Nie smiles and waves after being crowned Miss Universe Vietnam 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

During the final night that lasted two and a half hours, the 42 finalists displayed catwalk skills in the traditional Vietnamese dress ao dai, evening gowns, and swimsuits.

Among the board of judges were Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza and Miss Vietnam 2006 Mai Phuong Thuy.

In the interview round, H’Hen Nie picked a question from Mai Phuong Thuy, asking what she could do, as Miss Universe Vietnam, to encourage people to use social media in a more positive way.

“Social media is a two-edged knife with both positive and negative impacts. I want to stress that there are many other more beautiful things in life for us to treasure, so let’s cut down on our use of social media so we can be closer to one another,” Nie answered.

H’Hen Nie answers her interview question. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Hoang Thi Thuy answers her interview question. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Mau Thi Thanh Thuy answers her interview question. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Pham Huong (C), Miss Universe Vietnam 2015, recounts her two-year journey as the title-holder of Miss Universe Vietnam. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Contestants during a group performance on the song ‘Diamond’ by Rihanna. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Contestants perform in the traditional Vietnamese dress ao dai. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Contestants perform in the traditional Vietnamese dress ao dai. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Contestants perform in the traditional Vietnamese dress ao dai. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Contestants perform in swimsuits. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Contestants perform in swimsuits. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Contestants perform in evening gowns. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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