Thu Mai, the first runner-up of unified Vietnam, has just passed away.

Runner-up Thu Mai is the first runner-up of Vietnam after unification.

The funeral will take place at 1:00 p.m. on February 23 at the funeral home of Hospital 354, No. 13 Doi Nhan, Vinh Phuc , Ba Dinh, Hanoi.

Memorial service and funeral at 2:15 p.m. the same day, cremation at Hoan Vu Crematorium, Hanoi .

Thu Mai was the runner-up of the Miss Vietnam contest held in 1988 at the Youth Cultural House, Hanoi.

This is the first national beauty contest after Vietnam's reunification, initiated by Tien Phong newspaper.

At that time, the contest was called "Miss Tien Phong Newspaper National", held every two years.

There were 90 beauties registered for the contest. That year, the organizing committee chose Miss Bui Bich Phuong and the only runner-up was Thu Mai.

The winner of the contest received a Mifa bicycle from Socialist East Germany, worth the equivalent of 4 taels of gold at that time, and a crown.

Miss Bui Bich Phuong (the one wearing the crown), runner-up Thu Mai (second from left) and other contestants in the Top 10 Miss National Pageant of Tien Phong Newspaper 1988 - Photo: DOCUMENT

Beautiful youth, dedication

Miss Bui Bich Phuong just heard the sad news about runner-up Thu Mai this morning (February 20). "My whole body is still covered in goosebumps because I can't believe it and I don't dare believe that Mai is gone," she said.

She just sent obituary to two journalists Duong Ky Anh and Le Xuan Son to organize a delegation to visit runner-up Thu Mai.

Sharing with Tuoi Tre Online, beauty Bich Phuong said that after the 1988 contest, she and Thu Mai still occasionally met at some events organized by Tien Phong newspaper or the Central Youth Union.

“In our time, Ms. Thu Mai had a very different beauty. She was tall, pretty and Western. Her eyes were brown and deep, clear and captivating. She also had a charming smile, her hair was slightly brown and curly. At that time, having a few freckles on someone’s face was fashionable. Ms. Mai had them all,” she shared.

Hearing the news of Thu Mai's passing, Miss Bui Bich Phuong suddenly remembered the most beautiful moment of their bright youth.

She said: “It can be said that it was a unique competition. It was never seen again after that. Surely no one can imagine it now, at that time, the country still had many difficulties and shortages, but it was extremely joyful and exciting.”

According to Bich Phuong, the contest was directed by the Central Youth Union, and Tien Phong newspaper was the implementing unit. At that time, there was no sponsor/unit. Media was limited.

However, the contest had a tremendous appeal and resonance. People heard about it everywhere. The event did not sell tickets, only invitations were issued.

The contestants that year had to arrive 4-5 hours before the audience. However, when the car carrying the beauties arrived, the audience was already packed in front of the Youth Cultural House.

Because the contest was not broadcast live, the audience came in such large numbers that they knocked down the fence outside the cultural house.

“At that time, we were all students and members of the Youth Union. We all wore flip-flops, homemade clothes, and no one wore makeup. No one thought this was a beauty contest like it would be later.

Simply thinking that it was a cultural activity, the Central Youth Union called for registration to participate. Everyone wanted to come to contribute, to "show off" the beauty of the land where they were born", Miss Bich Phuong recalled.

“Not only for me, but also for Thu Mai, that year's contest was the most beautiful memory of my youth,” she expressed.

Runner-up Thu Mai was born in 1970 and studied piano at the Military Arts School. She is the daughter of stage actress Thuy Chi.

After becoming runner-up, Thu Mai's life was quite private and simple. She did not join showbiz, but became a piano and organ teacher for children.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thu-mai-a-hau-dau-tien-cua-nuoc-viet-nam-thong-nhat-vua-qua-doi-20240220110124095.htm