A still cut of Rom, a Vietnamese film directed by Tran Thanh Huy. (Photo courtesy of the film's distributor)

The award is among the five most important of the festival, together with the Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Most Original Film. Khoa’s performance was described as “an interpretation of instinct, energy and dynamism for a character who moves in the chaos and madness of Ho Chi Minh City”.

“Rom” was among the four Vietnamese movies screened in the festival, with three others including Home Sweet Home, Dad, I'm sorry, and Blood Moon Party.

The Asian Film Festival in Italy is organised by the Roberts Bresson Film Foundation which selects the best films in East Asia, with special attention given to young directors.

A total of 28 feature and two short films from 11 East Asian countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore, are featured at the event.