(VNF) - The Miss Friendship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2017 will be held in the south central province of Phu Yen, announced the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The preliminary round is open for candidates from March 1^st to April 28^th in the central city of Da Nang.

The final round will take place in Phu Yen province’s Tuy Hoa city from June 1^st to July 2^nd, with the grand final slated for July 7^th.

The organisation board said that the pageant is aimed at celebrating 50 years of establishment and development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

In addition, the pageant is the very first of its kind to take place in the province of Phu Yen. It is hoped to be an occasion for ASEAN member countries to meet up, promote and exchange cultures, as well as strengthen multilateral relations and friendship.

This is also a precious opportunity for Phu Yen, a picturesque province in the south central coast of Vietnam, to introduce its image and reputation to the world. Previously, the province has hosted various large scale cultural events such as the National Tourism Year in 2011 and the Miss Earth pageant.

Phu Yen province is home to 19 national historical sites and tourism attractions, including six of the best destinations in Vietnam selected by the Vietnam Records Association and Vietnam Records Organisations.

The organisation board will host the press conference for Miss ASEAN Friendship on March 16^th in Ho Chi Minh City./.

( Compiled by VNF )