Vietnamese citizens aged 18-28 from one of the country's 54 ethnic groups have been invited to compete in the second edition of the Miss Ethnic Vietnam pageant 2011.

Co-organised by the Committee for Ethnic Affairs and CIAT Advertising and Trade Fair JSC, the event aims to honor the cultural heritage and the traditional values of each ethnic group as well as praise the physical beauty and intellectual gifts of young ethnic women.

The pageant, the only national beauty contest to be held in the country this year, also aims to seek three representatives to take part in international competitions, said Doan Thi Kim Hong, chairwoman of CIAT company and head of the contest's organising board.

The final round and awards ceremony will be held on December 10 at Hoa Binh Theatre in HCM City.

Applications will be accepted until October 15. For more information on the application requirements and other information, visit the website www.hoahaucacdantocvietnam.vn.

Source: VOV/ VNA