Hanoi [Vietnam], July 23: Regarding the controversial video showing the inspection of the 3 billion VND crown, which was deemed to have no significant material value, the organizers of Miss Business Global 2023 affirmed that the value of an item is not solely determined by its materials.
The TikTok channel DV gained attention for posting a video of a beauty queen's crown being examined, garnering over 4.7 million views. In the clip, the person directly inspecting the crown stated that the embellishments were ordinary synthetic stones, not natural or artificial diamonds. Meanwhile, the frame was also determined not to be made of gold.
The owner of the clip stated that the video was made in 2023 but only released now. They also affirmed their willingness to hand over the crown to authorities if necessary to clarify the item's true value.
The information quickly generated diverse opinions on social media. Some netizens argued that if the crown wasn't actually made of gold, diamonds, or precious stones as previously imagined, the figure of 3 billion VND was excessive. Others questioned whether the previously announced value was a marketing ploy to elevate the competition and attract contestants' attention.
However, there is also the view that an item does not necessarily have to have a material value equivalent to its selling price or appraised value. Many netizens recognized the crown in the clip as being associated with the Miss Business Global 2023 competition, which took place in Dak Nong. At that time, the crown sponsor announced that the total value of the crowns for the titles amounted to over 8 billion VND, with the crown for the winner being presented as being worth approximately 3 billion VND.
This beauty pageant also faced controversy when, in July 2023, the organizers decided to revoke NTT's title for failing to fulfill her responsibilities and lack of cooperation. The release of the verification video after about three years has brought the story back into the spotlight.
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Amidst the controversy, a representative from the Miss Business Global organizing committee shared with Thanh Nien newspaper that their initial silence was due to a desire to avoid prolonging the dispute. However, the constant resurgence of issues related to the crown has compelled them to speak out.
Representatives from the organizing committee affirmed that the 3 billion VND price tag does not necessarily mean the crown is made entirely of diamonds or real gold. They explained that the value of an item can encompass many factors such as design, concept, craftsmanship, the skill of the artisan, and the reputation of the person who created it.
According to the organizers, the cost of supporting the sponsor in crafting the three crowns in 2023 was approximately 200 million VND, with payment statements to the design firm. The organizers consider this a significant expense for a competition, and the completed crowns met the aesthetic and symbolic requirements.
Source: Thanh Nein Newspaper
