Miss Universe can't get enough of Khanh Hoa

The president of Miss Universe Organization has officially asked Vietnam's Khanh Hoa Province to hold the 2011 competition in the coastal town of Nha Trang again.

Paula Shugart said during a meeting with Khanh Hoa vice chairman Le Xuan Thuan on Wednesday that the organization had chosen Nha Trang for the event and was only waiting for the Khanh Hoa and Vietnam governments to approve the move.

The organization has also invited Hoan Cau, Ltd. and Hoan Vu Joint Stock Company, which organized the contest in Nha Trang in 2008, to continue to do so next year. The companies have agreed, organizers said.

Thuan said he believes that Khanh Hoa will organize the event successfully thanks to its experience in 2008.

He also said facilities had been improved since then, including the upgrade of Cam Ranh International Airport, the opening of new five-star hotels and seminar centers.

But he said the organization and companies involved should submit detailed plans for the event, including reports on their financial capacity.

Next year's pageant will mark the 60th anniversary of Miss Universe. The contest in 2009 was organized in Bahamas and 2010 in Las Vegas.