Miss Vietnam Global a Scam?
























If you read my post, Vietnamese beauty pageants in the U.S., I bought up the same questions to why these shows exist and what are the girls are really competing for. Apparently MVG is scam, according the former Miss Vietnam Global Linda Vi Trâm Nguyễn who recently spoke out that the organization owns her $30,000 of prize money. The show promised its winner a grand prize of $50,000, however the former beauty queen only received $20,000. And so she is speaking out while also warning others who plan to enter the contest, to be aware. When Miss Vietnam Global ended in 2006, crowning Linda Vi Trâm Nguyễn as the winner, there were many speculators to the reason she took home the title. Many believed that Linda tried numerous time entering many pageants, so much that the judges were tired of her and so they let her win. Funny as it seems. However, friends and fans of Linda stood by saying that she had a goal in mind and she was determined instead of what others said about her as a leech and not letting go. As for the so-called scam, what took Linda so long to finally speak out? It is just because of the money issue or something else? How will the winner of 2007 Jennifer Lê react to this shocking claim? Read the full letter written by Linda Vi Trâm Nguyễn below.

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been almost two years since the day I was crowned Miss Vietnam Global... Quite an experience, quite the suspense, quite the glory... quite a disappointment.
It amazes me how such an organization can continue to thrive on undelivered promises, false advertisement, and money owed to their previous pageant queens and pageant performers... I’ve recently declined many invitations to take part in fashion shows/concerts promoted on behalf of Anh Thanh (Calvin), Kim Loi, or MFC Media for no other reason than to show my disapproval of such poor business ethics...

A measly $300/fashion show does not compensate for the $30,000 of the $50,000 prize the organization still owes me... (The only reason I was even paid the first $20,000 was because they were afraid I’d go public and interfere with the 2nd annual MVG.) Attempts on my part to "ask nicely" are met with complaints that the organization is in debt, experiencing financial difficulty, going bankrupt. A part of me did feel guilty for not "sympathizing"... Until I realized that this same poor organization is continuing to promote show after show, selling countless tickets & DVDs, profiting off of these innocent "pageant girls."

Hrmmm... Wonder why we continue to support such scams? Why we continue to submit our daughters, sisters, girlfriends to sacrifice an entire week of school, work... life in return for costly wardrobe and makeup preparations, tiresome choreography practices, distasteful cafeteria food, suspenseful/nerve-racking competition...

Which leads me to question, "What are we competing for?" The title? The prestige? The prize? Sounds alluring, doesn’t it? The reality, however, is that we’re competing for a crown that will rust and snap into pieces in about six months, invitations to participate in a dozen fashion shows (in which we must provide our own "fashion" and the organization profits off of us AGAIN), and, of course, a fictional prize.

Potential pageant contestants, beware. Know your worth... and, quite frankly, MVG is just not worth it.

Merely expressing my right to freedom of speech. This entire entry is an honest opinion from the point of view of a former Miss Vietnam Global Queen... a.k.a. "MFC’s Money-Making-Puppet". It is in no way an attempt to slander any individual/organization... Just giving girls an insight on what really takes place: behind the lights and cameras, there is no action.

Yours truly,
Linda Vi Tram

Comments

Anonymous said…
interesting piece of info. Keep it up!:)
Myson Nguyen said…
very very interresting...hmn
Linda Vi Tram said…
ouch... thanks for reposting... a little mean though...
Anonymous said…
This is so shameful and I feel bad for Linda. Should we still promote vietnamese pageant in the future? Also, Kim Loi Production in San Jose is no longer belonged to Mr Thanh
Anonymous said…
can't wait to see those run the miss vn global show response to this. They are going to host miss vn global 2008 this July, 08.
Anonymous said…
Very true. These pageants are filled with corruptions. The Judges are not qaulify to judge the competition. Family members of judges can also enter the competition resulting in unfair judging. What goes on behind the scenes is never known the public. Some of the competitions even asked for entry fees which is ridiculous.
Anonymous said…
wow...so true. and i feel bad for her. such corruption and unfair and i saw this clearly in the 07 show, if you guys have the dvd, or ike me, owns a burnt copy, watch it again, and notice how the first runner up girl, lisa ma, yea notice carefully, how one of the big sponsors is a company called MA and Associates. yeaaaaa, im not trying to accuse anything, but that sponsor belongs to her papi. and how do i know this? have u guys ever heard of facade the cosmetic line from san jose? they too have these whacked out pageants during tet to select a facade model. and one of my close friends competed in it and told me behind the scenes stories of how corrupted these things are. thats why homegirl, lisa got runner up while jennifer got the title. it just shows. money DOES buy everything in this country.
Anonymous said…
Lisa Ma was pretty though and so was Linda... now Doanh Doanh as a pageant queen is a different issue...
Anonymous said…
If you ask me Linda Vi Is being a snob about the whole situation first she argues how hard she worked for the title Miss Global and how determine she was to earn the title and how she deserved the title, then she complains how hard she had to work in order to get it, if you ask me with her attitude i don't think she deserve to get the money if someone paid me 300 dollars to walk across a stage i wouldn't be complaining and besides they never told her she wasn't getting the money they just don't have the money right now.... you don't heat jennifer le crying
Anonymous said…
Good points I think she just wants attention because she doesn't have any real talent and she knows her career is coming to an end.
Anonymous said…
i feel for her...miss vietnam usa is also a scam...this year's winner didn't get her money nor her benz yet. no one should support these pageants!!!
Anonymous said…
I congratulate Linda for making public this scandal, although some people especially from an asian community may think that its is only the rants of a disgruntled "former" queen, I think that it takes a lot of courage to come forward especially since having had such a close connection. I do have to say that I am not surprised, I formerly competed in such well known "beauty pageants" in the Miss USA Teen and Miss America Teen tracks. When I found out that the Vietnamese community was headed that way, at first I was exciting but was soon sorely disappointed to see what had come of it. With the calendar shoots, the saucy nature of the photos on the internet and behind the scenes footage, Miss Vietnam USA and Miss Vietnam Global looked more like Miss Hawaiian tropic which we wouldn't hold to strong moral caliber. I think that with all the flash that we as a Vietnamese community are overlooking what should be more important. Checking out some of these contestant's myspace pages we can clearly see vanity not modeling, sultry party girls over wholesome role models for our future daughters. I think that when we take a step back it is no surprise that such an organization would have little regard for its own contestants. And at the very least girls who are still thinking of competing, a little body glue and professional pageant consulting would help with quality control...you don't see "wedgies" on miss usa nor full on crotch shots when walking or heels that make you look like street walkers. In the future, i hope this pageant will seek to strive for a better image of its young Vietnamese women and other organization like it. Swimsuit calendars, honestly? Why don't you just pick up the local budweiser girls and make them up to look more Asian?
Anonymous said…
I dont feel bad for her at all. Unfortunately She had a deal with the judges. Linda was married. But in the agreement form for MVG. It stated one thing that if you're already Marry. You are not qualify to join. According to the King County of Washington. She have and it was confirm that there is a certificate of marriage in her name. She was mad because they didn't pay her. She spoke out to let off some stream. But she's arrogant enough to no realize that while speaking out. She's causing her reputation to go into a dump. She criticize MVG for not delivering their promise. Causes MVG to exposed the dark truth about her bribery. Read more about it at this link on vietshowbiz.com

http://www.vietshowbiz.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=28783&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0

.
Anonymous said…
Just got back from seeing "Miss Vietnam Global 2008" and I feel very stupid paying($150 USD/per person X 4) to see this kind of show. It really sucks so badly, I can see the production is not well organized.
First you have a novice MC(no name) doing it wrong. Why would you not introduce the candidate right before she walks to the center stage? The introduction was done when she walks back stage, while the next candidate walks out.(Can fix this on DVD?)
Second, the long pause because there is clearly problem in the backstage, do not make the audience do stupid things, entertain them so they can clap louder for the production purpose if desire. We were there to be entertained and not the other way around. If there is problem, let the audience have the intermission(go take a drink or something for a couple of minutes) maybe there is a budget crisis on timing?
Third, the audience were surprised at number 30 being in the top 5. It is mean to subject these ladies to this type of stress. It was so obvious the views of the judge and the standard guidelines of the general public does not fit at all. Imagine the stupid audiences clapping so loud when someone they fear will come in 1st wins 3rd. I think that was very mean. Also, I thought there should have been 30candidates, but somehow, only 28 shows up.
Have no idea what happened to Hoài Linh – Chí Tài? Their comedy is so fragmented, I could not pick up much laugh. Usually there is an ending? The singers are at their best as expected, however, one or two of the singers did not show up, but Hồng Ngọc makes up for it by showing up after being in the hospital in the afternoon. She truly loves her profession and very dedicated to her audience.
Finally, my consensus on this is the "Miss Vietnam Global" is not worth the dollar of entertainment it have advertised to be. People left arena so quickly, right afterward(maybe everyone is running for the slot machines).
For Miss Vietnam Global 2006, when a company is in financial trouble it will look for all kinds of way to survive so if you are really married, you broke the contract and they can take you to court for it(if it benefits them). If you still think they are in breach of contract to you, you can take them to court(if you think it benefits you). There are plenty of lawyers out there.
Anonymous said…
She was legally married to someone by the name of Huy Nguyen and were divorced on 12/24/07. They tried to divorce in 2005 but the case was dismissed. She's totally a FRAUD!
Anonymous said…
Linda was married in 2003, to Nguyen Huy Tuong, and just got a divorce in 2007!! So how was she able to compete in all those pageants???? Please follow the following website for more info!!

http://www.vietshowbiz.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=283357
Anonymous said…
I don't know whether she was married or not. BUT...

She did date Nguyen Vu Huy Tuong, a chiropractor in Tacoma, WA. He is the son of Doctor Nguyen Xuan Thin (well known in the Seattle-Tacoma) area. He was also the president of the Vietnamese community in Tacoma, WA. They were together for several years (during the time she entered that pageant hosted by Van Son - Miss VN Free World?).
chu cuoi said…
open the link below for more interesting info:

http://www.vietshowbiz.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=293952#293952
chu cuoi said…
MFC LƯỜNG GẠT THÍ SINH ĐI DỰ THI MISS VIET NAM GLOBAL 08

Những thí sinh nào tính dự định đi dự thi thì nên cảnh giác. Tôi có ngừơi bạn ở Úc đi dự thi năm 2008, ban tổ chức có hứa hẹn sẽ phụ chi phí airfare (email đính kèm), nhưng sau khi dự thi xong bạn tôi có email nhiều lần hỏi thì ban tổ chức trốn né luôn. Ngừơi này bán cái qua người nọ, nói là không biết. Có những email để chứng minh việc này. Nhất là những email của con quỷ cái JULIE, nó cứ nói không biết cứ liên lạc với ban tổ chức... không biết thì tại sao nó lại email cho người ta hứa hẹn như vậy, nếu là người có trách nhiệm thì phải follow up chuyện này với ban tổ chức chứ!

Tuy số tiền phụ phí không đáng là bao, nhưng ban tổ chức MFC có nên lường gạt thí sinh như vậy không? không lẽ số tiền đó đáng để đánh đổi với sự uy tín của họ.




From: Julie Nguyen (julie@mfcmedia.tv)
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Subject: Re: Hi Anh Mai-From Julie Nguyen
To: john@westvillecentral.com.au
Cc: anhmaiho@hotmail.com, calvin nguyen (calvin@mfcmedia.tv), Nguyen (sjnguyen@yahoo.com)


"Hello Anh Thuan,

How are you? I spoke with Anh Thanh about the airfare situation from Australia to Las Vegas. We would love to have Miss Anh Mai Ho and other future contestants from Australia, thus Miss Vietnam Global Organization would like to offer the followings to assist the contestants from Australia:

1. $50 application fee will be waived for each contestant from Australia
2. $250 application fee will be waived for each contestant from Australia
3. Miss Vietnam Global Organization will reimburse each contestant $500 to help with airfare
4. Miss Vietnam Global Organization will take care of hotel and meals for all finalists from July 1st - July 6th of 2008.

I, myself, would love to meet you and Anh Mai and other contestants from Australia and hope that I will see you in Las Vegas soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

Thank you,
Julie Nguyen"


SẼ CÒN NHIỀU EMAIL POST LÊN SAU ĐỂ CÁC BẠN THẤY RÕ MẶT TRÁI CỦA BAN TỔ CHỨC.
chu cuoi said…
MFC LƯỜNG GẠT THÍ SINH ĐI DỰ THI MISS VIET NAM GLOBAL 08

Những thí sinh nào tính dự định đi dự thi thì nên cảnh giác. Tôi có ngừơi bạn ở Úc đi dự thi năm 2008, ban tổ chức có hứa hẹn sẽ phụ chi phí airfare (email đính kèm), nhưng sau khi dự thi xong bạn tôi có email nhiều lần hỏi thì ban tổ chức trốn né luôn. Ngừơi này bán cái qua người nọ, nói là không biết. Có những email để chứng minh việc này. Nhất là những email của con quỷ cái JULIE, nó cứ nói không biết cứ liên lạc với ban tổ chức... không biết thì tại sao nó lại email cho người ta hứa hẹn như vậy, nếu là người có trách nhiệm thì phải follow up chuyện này với ban tổ chức chứ!

Tuy số tiền phụ phí không đáng là bao, nhưng ban tổ chức MFC có nên lường gạt thí sinh như vậy không? không lẽ số tiền đó đáng để đánh đổi với sự uy tín của họ.




From: Julie Nguyen (julie@mfcmedia.tv)
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Subject: Re: Hi Anh Mai-From Julie Nguyen
To: john@westvillecentral.com.au
Cc: anhmaiho@hotmail.com, calvin nguyen (calvin@mfcmedia.tv), Nguyen (sjnguyen@yahoo.com)


"Hello Anh Thuan,

How are you? I spoke with Anh Thanh about the airfare situation from Australia to Las Vegas. We would love to have Miss Anh Mai Ho and other future contestants from Australia, thus Miss Vietnam Global Organization would like to offer the followings to assist the contestants from Australia:

1. $50 application fee will be waived for each contestant from Australia
2. $250 application fee will be waived for each contestant from Australia
3. Miss Vietnam Global Organization will reimburse each contestant $500 to help with airfare
4. Miss Vietnam Global Organization will take care of hotel and meals for all finalists from July 1st - July 6th of 2008.

I, myself, would love to meet you and Anh Mai and other contestants from Australia and hope that I will see you in Las Vegas soon. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

Thank you,
Julie Nguyen"


SẼ CÒN NHIỀU EMAIL POST LÊN SAU ĐỂ CÁC BẠN THẤY RÕ MẶT TRÁI CỦA BAN TỔ CHỨC.
Anonymous said…
i totally agreed with linda! well i don't know if she was married or not but first of all i think the organization should do a background check to make sure that the contestants were married or not. they failed to do the job, and now blamed on linda. hey who doesn't want to be on the show? who doesn't want to be hoa hau? oh hell, i would lie about my status to compete to. but is this my fault? it's their fault because all they do was accepted the application money (that's all they care) and didn't even care whoever you are or if you're married. to be honest, gosh that a' hau ( i forgot either a hau 1,2, or 3) in mvg 08 is damn ugly! i know i know, "the pageant is all about your talent, your inside beauty not the look" whatever ban da'm khao! if it's really NOT about the outside look why is there a swimsuit part? why the contestants have to be 5'2 and up? oh please!!! the pageant is all about get all the pretty girls work for them for free, or pay to work for them... i know some of the girls are so stupid to fly to everywhere to do some kind of fashion shows with NO PAY and they even pay for the airfare themselves!!!
Anonymous said…
YES ! definitely it must be fake and I'm positive there's treachery.
By the way it's called miss vietnam global but 99% of the contestants are from USA only.
Winners are always from USA and curiously very young why always 19 ?
MVG just wants to make much much money, even by asking each contestant to pay for the contest.
Just stop this, stop taking part to that ----.
Anonymous said…
2009 's winner has already participated to a previous MVG contest 2006 I think... So the more times you try the best chances you get ? Again... the queen is from USA so surprising. And where is she on the "2009 contestants" page (main site) ?
CURIOUS THING
Anonymous said…
I can agree with Linda. It is a waste of time. They said it would be 30 TOP BEAUTIFUL CONTESTANTS, and some girls from 2009 definitely did not look beautiful at all. From watching the show this year, the production seems so messy and cheap. They had the girls come out in yellow tube tops, hot pink sarong, and their bikini bottoms. I heard one of the girls complaining about how they were suppose to be wearing boy shorts but they were see-through. It seems to me production is becoming broke. They are PAGEANT GIRLS, not Las Vegas hookers. If I wanted to see girls in bikini and such, I'd go somewhere than a pageant. Something also corrupt about the pageant is the fact some contestants are required to pay to compete while others are INVITED and the irony in it, is that they placed which is basically paying the girls to compete instead of the other way around. How is that fair to other contestants who had to pay? The rule is you have to pay your fees, or you don't get your winnings. So for the girls who didn't pay anything to compete, how can they collect their prize? The 2009 winner is also the Viet Model Project Winner and Miss Houston Vietnam. If they want to continue with such a pageant, they need to make it fair to all contestants.
Anonymous said…
how scandalous that is! these beauty queen title can be bought...Its true. She was married. The Vietnamese community in Seatle Tacoma is very small. There're so many rumors about this girl. These vietnamese pageants are not like the others "miss usa, miss world..etc", they only do things to benefit them. Any girls can win, just put out $$ to buy it. This former winner Linda was not only married at the time. She had her nude picture leaked out all over Seatle, Even mulitle abortions. Its true, u will find all these out if u live in Seatle. These beauty pageant show are not glamorous as you think. Linda is not innocent as she potrays herself.
Anonymous said…
Well, we'll see what's coming up next... Will there only be girls from USA and will the winner be a girl from the US (again).
It's normal that girls coming from abroad, so who lives far from america, are helped with airfare, otherwise it's just not fair at all !
why should anyone pay fees+airfare just to compete ?
Anonymous said…
Girls who might be interested in joining MVG, just be careful !
in agreeing with those terms in the application form :

10. I understand that I participate to the event voluntarily and will be responsible including but not limited to transportation to and from the event... Attire, all fees and costs incurred to prepare the pageant will be the contestant responsibility

you will have to pay for everything, also for makeup and hair ! just be careful and know what you're signing for...

MVG is just not worth it.
Not worth attending that "show" either
Anonymous said…
Well, we'll see if there are any girls coming from out of USA and who win anything this year...
Anonymous said…
She did not look professional model at all. She look like !!!!! you know. I do not feel bad for her of this situation. MFC did not have time to inspect 100 percent clear for all of them. No one perfect. All I know She just want money-money or else she will complaint. So please who is doing something wrong let God Punish them so don't worry be happy. Move on to your life and have lot of luck. Oh be honest next time for ever Please. My feeling is Linda do not deserve those money when MFC find out of her dishonest. Don't you think so too.