Son, 21, a tall 1.93m, beat 19 contestants. He made a strong impression on judges in all rounds of the contest, including traditional costume, beach costume, daily costume and party costume.
Son won a cash prize of USD25,000. Runners-up were contestants from Venezuela, Thailand, Brazil and France.
Son with a flag of Vietnam
He wore a military uniform for the traditional costumes round
But Son now faces a fine of VND15-30m by the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Performing Art Department when he returns home -- he failed to get a license to attend the contest.
“I decided to compete just a few days before it began and did not have enough time to get the necessary permit from Vietnamese authorities," Son said. "It was the Tet holiday."
Son wore Vietnam's traditional long dress with a dragon motiff for the finals on March 7
Contestants in the organisers' uniforms
Son in beach costume
In party costume