Cats from several countries gather in Hanoi for beauty pageant
As many as 80 cat contestants from countries such as China, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam are in Hanoi to compete in a cat pageant at the WCF International Family Cat Show, which runs until Sunday.
The event is organized by the Vietnam Animal Welfare Association and the Vietnam Cat Association.
The competition features many well-known cat breeds, such as British Shorthair, Bengal, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, American Shorthair, Cornish Rex, curly-haired cats, and Siberian cats.
Some of the cats are reportedly worth hundreds of millions of Vietnames dong. (VND100 million = US$3,794)
One of the highlights of the event is the international cat exhibition area, featuring many rare and beautiful breeds.
The feline contestants will compete in four rounds judged by international experts based on criteria including facial features, body shape, weight, friendliness, and socialization skills.
The event will conclude with the Final Cat Walk, where the cat with the highest overall score will be crowned 'Miss Cat 2026.'
A Savannah cat was reportedly purchased for more than VND400 million ($15,177).
Another notable contestant is a Maine Coon cat named Bo. Its owner told Tuoi Tre that the three-year-old cat weighs more than 11 kilograms and has won several international awards. Despite its large and somewhat fierce appearance, the breed is known for being gentle. A pedigree Maine Coon usually costs between VND55 million ($2,086) and VND85 million ($3,225), while cats with rare coat colors can be priced between VND145 million ($5,501) and VND185 million ($7,019) each.
A Selkirk Rex Longhair cat from Thailand, known for its high commercial value, also attracts attention at this year’s competition. The cat won several subsidiary awards before advancing to the final round.
Visitors to the event have the opportunity to meet many outstanding cat breeds and learn more about their characteristics and care requirements.
During the competition, a judge lifts a Bengal cat for the audience to admire. Bengal cats, a hybrid between wild and domestic cats, are judged based on coat color, fur patterns, and body flexibility. Some Bengal cats are valued at hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong.
This year’s competition has brought together more than 80 cats from countries including China, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Contestants are evaluated based on facial features, body shape, weight, friendliness, and socialization skills to determine the winner of the 'Miss Cat' title.
A foreign cat joins the competition.
The cat appears highly alert but remains friendly enough to be petted by visitors.
Nguyen Xuan Son, chairman of the Vietnam Cat Association, said the international cat beauty contest is an annual event in Vietnam that attracts significant interest from cat enthusiasts and professional breeders around the world.
Thanh Ha - Dau Dung / Tuoi Tre News
Link nội dung: https://news.tuoitre.vn/cats-from-several-countries-gather-in-hanoi-for-beauty-pageant-103260517094155622.htm