Fancy felines hit Hanoi for first ever cat show

"In a country where cats are still served as foods and stray cats being mistreated are popular, the event is a chance to raise awareness among people," said Nguyen Dieu Hong, one of the attendees.

"Cat is not a sign of bad luck as many Vietnamese think and should be filled with love." Over the course of a day, judges poked and prodded the animals, felt their fur, stroked their tails, looked at their teeth and tested their agility.

Seven cats won "best of class" awards and one, Timosa Sumo, won the heart not just of judges but of the public, which applauded him enthusiastically.

The blueish grey cat is of Scottish Fold breed, but owner Dinh Chau Hieu Tam said it was not just his beauty that made him a crowd favourite. "He spreads the love to everyone," Tam said. "He is my furry son. I just love him and am proud of him so much."

A participant wearing a protective facemask carries her cat Mochi, a highland fold breed during Vietnam's first national cat show in Hanoi.

A participant poses with his cat Burny, a British longhair breed during Vietnam's first national cat show.

A participant poses with her cat Uslada, a British shorthair breed during Vietnam's first national cat show.

A man wearing a protective facemask carries his kitten on his back-pack during Vietnam's first national cat show in Hanoi.

A participant carries his cat during Vietnam's first national cat show in Hanoi past spectators wearing protective facemasks amid concerns of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

A participant wearing a protective facemask carries her cat during Vietnam's first national cat show in Hanoi.

A judge holds a cat during Vietnam's first national cat show in Hanoi.