HCM CITY — Khieu Thi Huyen Trang, 21, from Bac Giang Province won the first Viet Nam's Next Top Model competition on Sunday at the InterContinental Asiana Sai Gon Hotel in HCM City.

Fashion designer Huy Vo, a judge on the show, noted that Trang had not been the clear winner in previous shows.

"I was surprised by her excellent performance on the final night," said Vo. "She deserves the prize."

Trang, who stands 1.78m will sign a two-year contract with CA Model company worth US$50,000. She will receive a scholarship to take a model training course at the Wilhelmina Models Company. She also won a diamond ring worth VND200 million and a Piaggio LX125.

"I feel very happy about the prizes," Trang said. "This is my gift to my mother, who has supported me during the past few months."

During the past five months, the programme aired every Thursday night. On the show, 18 Vietnamese women, between the ages of 18 and 25, competed to become Viet Nam's Next Top Model.