Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos has been invited to serve as guest judge at the coronation night of this year’s Hoa khoi Ao dai Viet Nam – Duong toi vuong mien Hoa hau The gioi (Miss Ao dai Vietnam – The Way to Miss World Crown) on January 5 at the Gem Center in HCMC’s District 1.

The 25-year-old Venezuelan also won the “Miss Grand Slam 2011” title bestowed by Global Beauties.com in January 2012. She will join two local judges, actress Truong Ngoc Anh and movie director Nguyen Quang Dung, to choose the beauty queen based on national costume, swimwear, and evening gown and Q&A challenges.

It is expected that Ivian Sarcos could arrive in Vietnam a day prior to the coronation night and attend a news briefing. Sarcos will hand the crown to the winner of the beauty contest. The coronation night will feature the top 18 contestants.

Sarcos said in a statement that she is glad to get the invitation to the final night of “Miss Ao dai Vietnam 2014.” As she knows this is the first contest in Vietnam to search for candidates to represent Vietnam at Miss World and other beauty contests.

The 1.8-meter-tall Sarcos was born into a poor family in Guanare, Portuguesa, Venezuela with 13 brothers and sisters. She lost her parents after tragic accidents when she was eight. Sarcos was raised by nuns in a convent and had intended to become a nun. However, she found passion in fashion and started as a model.

She has been active in community activities, and has provided support for social and charitable organizations around the world. The event will be live broadcast on VTV3 and VTV6 channels at 9 p.m. on January 5.

The contest, which debuted in late September 2014 and is organized by Vietnam Television (VTV) and HCMC-based BHD Company, is the first beauty contest to be organized in the format of a reality show to look for the best three to compete at three international beauty contests – Miss World, Miss International and Miss Supranational.

During 75 days of the reality show, contestants have been trained for communication, fitness, makeup, style, and etiquettes by leading experts, and compete with one another.