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NHA TRANG, Vietnam - Locked away in a Vietnamese luxury resort on Sunday, the eve of the Miss Universe pageant, are 80 of the world's most beautiful women, anxiously wondering who is the best of them all.

For a gruelling month, they have strutted their stuff in swimsuits, high heels and evening gowns, national costumes and Vietnamese au dai suits, trying to catch the eyes and win the hearts of jury panelists.

They have braved the tropical summer heat, a hectic travel schedule and endless rehearsals, local crowds and paparazzi, and even a bat that drew wide circles through the spotlight of one of the many preliminary events.

But the moment of truth -- when 79 dreams are crushed and one comes true -- was fast approaching in this 57th edition of a winner-takes-all contest that, organisers say, will be watched by a billion people in 170 countries.

The "Final Night" show starts at 8am Monday here to coincide with the prime-time Sunday evening TV slot in the United States, home of the extravaganza that is co-owned by millionaire-celebrity Donald Trump.

Speculation on the front-runner has run hot in the palm-fringed resort town of Nha Trang, fuelled by pageant-bloggers and scraps of gossip that have trickled out of the resort where the women are sequestered away.

Many favoured Miss Venezuela, 22-year-old Dayana Mendoza (height: 178cm/ 5 foot 10), whose country is admired here as a 'pageant powerhouse' that has long drilled contestants with makeovers, English classes and runway-practice.

Vietnam lobbied hard last year to become the first communist nation to host a Miss Universe contest. Seemingly on a roll, it was also chosen last week as the location for the rival Miss World pageant in 2010.

Its leaders, eager to shine the global spotlight on Vietnam and boost tourism, have even turned a blind eye to the bikini section that, strictly speaking, breaches prudish laws banning risque exposure.

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