This evening will be the night of all nights for one stunning lady in the final judging of a very special beauty pageant.

The Miss Vietnam Peoples 2007 contest has heated up the cool mountain resort city of Da Lat this week, as nearly 50 stunning entrants from many of the countrys diverse ethnic minorities prepare for tonights gala final.

There were over 1,500 original entries to the pageant when it opened six months ago to honor local female beauty and talent while introducing locals and foreigners to Vietnams different ethnic cultures.

The 48 remaining contestants, who will compete in tonights final, come from 24 ethnic groups including Kinh, Nung, Cho ro, Khmer, Tay, MNong, Lo Lo, Muong, Thai, Cham, Gia rai, E de, Co ho, Ma and Co tu.

One of the judges, Hua Thi Sac, who heads the Vietnamese National Women Federations Board of Ethnic-Religion said, The contest doesnt just highlight the beauty of the women from the various ethnic groups but also creates opportunities for the girls from the mountainous and rural areas to learn, exchange and intensify national solidarity.

She said the pageant would help contestants feel more confident socially and in business; making them more able to contribute to the nations industrialization, modernization and integration.

For many of the contestants it is the first time they have been involved in activities like this.

Most of them have never left their villages and families, worn high-heels or walked on a stage.

Gradually they have become more confident representing their ethnic groups and promoting their tribal cultures.

From the northern mountainous Thai Nguyen Province Tay minority, Nguyen Thi Hoang Nhung, said, I am very proud to represent my group at this contest. I will try my best in the pageant.

Her counterpart, a pre-school teacher from the northern Ha Giang Province Giay group, Nguyen Thi Huong, said, I have never been on a stage. This is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity for me to promote my groups image and customs to compatriots and foreigners.

The Da Lat pageant, which is Vietnams first-ever beauty contest for minority ethnic groups, has a panel of 13 judges including experts in beauty, culture and history, the Vietnamese History Association Secretary-General, Duong Trung Quoc, and the Arts Performance Department Deputy Head Dr. Nguyen Van Khanh.

The finals will be held tonight during the closing ceremony of the Da Lat Flower Festival, with the judging of four categories Ao dai, sports fashion, traditional dress and evening wear.

Out of the 48 finalists there will be 17 winners Miss Vietnam Peoples, two runners-up, Miss Friendly, Miss Talent, Miss Tourism, Miss Mountain and another 10 secondary prizes.

Reported by Gia Binh Nguyen Long