The contest is open to Vietnamese women living in and outside the country. The selection round in the north will take place in Hanoi on April 20 and in the south in HCM City on April 25. The quarter-final round will be held in HCM City on May 1. Thirty-five finalists will compete for the top prize in Mui Ne in the central province of Binh Thuan between May 12 and 23.

"Through various useful activities during the competition, we hope to improve people's awareness about saving the marine environment and advertise domestic sea tourism," said designer Vo Viet Chung, head of the organising board.

The winner of the first-ever Miss Ocean contest will walk away with a cash prize of VND400 million (US$20,000) and a crown worth VND1.6 billion, which will be handed down to the winner each year. The first and second runners up will receive prizes of VND200 million and VND150 million respectively.

The organisers will give away nine smaller titles, including Miss Ao Dai, Miss Talent, Miss Bikini and Miss Beach. More information can be found at www.hoahaudaiduongvietnam.com.

The contest has been organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the central province of Binh Thuan's People's Committee.