Vietnamese model Ngo Tien Doan is Vietnam’s only representative at the Mister International Pageant.

The 25-year-old model competes with 60 contestants for the title during the male pageant, which takes place in Taiwan until November 24.

Doan, who is also a mechanical lecturer at Can Tho University, won first prize at Manhunt Vietnam 2006, and the title Mister Physique at Manhunt International 2007 in Republic of Korea.

In June, Doan was invited to compete by the Mister International organising board. Since then he has been studying, improving his English and working on his dance for the pageant’s talent competition.

“I feel completely confident competing in this pageant. The experience I collected when I competed at Manhunt International 2007 will support me a lot in this contest,” said the 1.83m high model of the HCM City-based Venus Modeling Agency.

According to Doan, he designed his own costume, which was inspired by the traditional costume of the Hung Kings’ (2880-258BC). Named Hung Ca Chim Lac (Epic of the Legendary Bird), the costume includes an embroidered loin-cloth, a gown with a Vietnamese bronze-drum pattern and a bronze-coloured hat with a lac bird – the symbolic legendary bird of Vietnam – flying towards the sun at the centre, represented by a large gemstone.

“The costume embodies the pride of being a child of the Dragon Lord Lac Long Quan and the Mountain Fairy Au Co (of the Hung Kings) and of the Vietnamese people,” Doan said.