Vietnam started to make preparations for the 2009 Mrs World Pageant on March 18.

Organisers of the international pageant, which will take place in the coastal province of Vung Tau in November, have released details of the contest for married beauties coming from across the world.

The Mrs Vietnam Pageant will be held in two months before the international event and best candidates from contestants nationwide to represent Vietnam in the global event.

Similar to other beauty contests, there will be a number of rounds such as traditional costumes, swimsuits, eveningwear and a question and answer session.

Contestants in the Mrs Vietnam Pageant will also take part in an additional round highlighting their charity work.

The winner of the Vietnamese qualifying round will receive a VND150 million prize and the runner-up will get VND100 million.

Both will later join 100 other married beauties to compete for the title of the world’s top married beauty queen.

The final round of the Mrs World Pageant will take place on November 22 in Vung Tau City and will be broadcast live on the Star World TV network.

It is expected that more than 500 million people around the world will watch the event.

Like Miss World and Miss Universe, Vietnam will use this international beauty contest to highlight the country’s tourist services to a global audience.

The Vietnam Women’s Association is the latest group to join the event’s organising board.