QUANG NINH, VIET NAM — Dang Thi Ngoc Han, a 21-year-old student, professional model and aspiring fashion designer, burst into tears of joy when crowned Miss Viet Nam 2010 on Saturday in Tuan Chau Resort in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh.

The Hanoian beauty defeated 36 contestants and dominated in the ao dai (traditional long rob), swimsuit and evening gown categories.

Han strongly impressed the audience and judges, due to her concise and clever answer in the Q&A section, in which she was asked: "What is the point of a beauty queen," "A beauty queen must be beautiful inside and out. Together with the community, she must bring positivity," she answered.

The pageant queen also reached the final round of the talent contest. Using the lessons she had learnt from the Ha Noi College of Industrial Fine Art and her own talent and creativity, Han created a 3-in-1 bikini that could transform into an ao dai or an evening gown. She also shared her ambition to become a respected fashion designer in the future.

Runner-up Vu Thi Hoang My from the southern province of Dong Nai also impressed the judges with her star quality.

When asked what she knew about World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, My said: "It is where the sky and earth, water and mountains meet, its beauty can touch people's hearts. Having not been to Ha Long Bay for many years, now I've returned it makes me feel like meeting an old flame."

Statuesque third-placed finisher Dang Thuy Trang, a student at Bach Khoa University in Ha Noi struggled in the Q&A round. Trang hesitantly replied to what would be her biggest challenge as Miss Viet Nam.

"To win the title would be hard, but to fulfil the tasks associated with the role would be even harder. I would have to constantly study to improve and to overcome challenges along the way," she said.

Past winners including Nguyen Dieu Hoa, Nguyen Thi Huyen, Mai Phuong Thuy and Tran Thi Thuy Dung attended the event.

Despite erratic weather preceding the show, it remained sunny and breezy on the big day. The show attracted its largest audience yet, with ten thousand people witnessing the crowning of the new beauty queen.

Born and raised in Ha Noi, Ngoc Han will be busy in the coming period as the capital welcomes its millennium.

"I am no longer a normal, carefree girl. It is time to act maturely and take on the new responsibilities that my family and the country will give me", said Han.