HANOI, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The final of the Miss Universe 2008 is scheduled to take place in Nha Trang City of Vietnamese central Khanh Hoa province on July 14, local newspaper Young People reported Friday.

    Over 80 candidates will come to Vietnam from June 15 to participate in a series of social and cultural activities such as sightseeing, fashion show and raising charity funds in capital Hanoi, Nha Trang, southern Ho Chi Minh City and southern Binh Duong province.

    The final will be organized at the 7,500-seated Crown Convention Center which is rapidly being constructed with investment of 7 million U.S. dollars. Vietnam's Phu Nhuan Jewelry Joint Stock Company is tasked to design and produce the crown for Miss Universe 2008, with estimated expense of 200,000-250,000 U.S.dollars.

    To host the event, Vietnam is estimated to spend a total of some 15 million dollars covering the pageant's royalty, and manpower and infrastructure expenses.