Vietnam’s Next top Model or VNTM is a phenomenon in Vietnam’s entertainment industry since its existence 3 years ago. The nationwide audition had attracted attention from hundreds of young Vietnamese girls from all walks of life to catch their dream to be famous and make a lot of money become true.

Original Format

This programme was originally from The U.S highest ranking reality television programme, America Next Top Model. Created by a fabulous supermodel Tyra Banks, this 60 minutes seasonal programme also debuted as a Top Model Franchise in more than 140 countries worldwide. The format for VNTM will be the same as the American version which all potential top model girls will stay together in a luxury house, completing every challenge assigned, photoshoot and catwalk assignment, and the lowest performance candidates of the week will be eliminated. The reward to the winner of VNTM is a contract with a top modeling agency in the country as a grand prize, be a cover girl for Her World magazine and other prizes from sponsors.

Vietnam Next Top Model “Go Local”

As this programme was in South East Asia (particularly in Vietnam) there are many sensitivity factors that need to be considered. This Vietnam version of programme did not have any nude or semi nude photo shoot or video as such in US and Australia versions. This programme also had brought top models candidates for photo shoots at many interesting places starting from Hanoi down to the south, Ho Chi Minh City. This competition is open for Vietnamese girls from age 18 to 25 years old with minimum height at 5’7” which is the same as international model height standards.

Even there are many controversies and criticism about this reality TV program, from the crisis between the judges, conflict between contestants and media and other issues, this Vietnam’s high rate TV programme by VTV already on its 3rd season with their own followers.

What are VNTM fans says about the reality TV programme?

Catherine Bui - Human Resource Executive

My passion is fashion. As women, fashion and looking good is one of the best leisure which helps us to reduce stress from work and other problems. By watching VNTM, we can get some updates about current fashion trends in Vietnam. I watch VNTM also because of my own curiosity about modeling world when people always say that to be a model is not difficult; wear famous brands

Annie Trang (Left) and Catherine Bui (Right)

clothing, catwalk on runaway for few minutes and get paid. From VNTM, I can learn about how to train a normal girl to be a top model and it is not an easy job. Personally, I think VNTM is a good and fantastic TV show. My favorite contestant is Huyen Trang. She is the winner of VNTM 2010 and I like her because she works hard and never complains about any assignment given. I hope new season will have less editing. I know, in order to fit with Vietnamese culture, they have to cut many scenes but I personally think that is what we the audience want to see.

Annie Trang - Marketing Executive

I watched most of America’s Next Top Model for many seasons and I really like it. When VNTM come out, I wondered how a Vietnamese version will look like and it does not disappoint me for the first two seasons. The programme was amazing and always dramatic with internal conflict and tears between the contestants. I really like to see gorgeous photo shoots in the programme as well. My current favorite contestant is a single mother (I don’t know her name yet) because she has a face and sexy body even if she has a baby.

Ho Ngoc Thach

Ho Ngoc Thach - Production Assistant

The reason I am watching VNTM (new season) is because I like the judges, I think they are better than the judges in season 1. My favorite contestant is Le Thuy. She is Top 3 in VNTM Season 2. She got a pure model look and I love her face and personality. I hope the assignment will be more challenging in the new season in order to have a good quality of Top Model.