Vietnamese actor wins Best Leading Actor at Taiwan’s Golden Bell Awards

The award was presented for his powerful performance as Dr. Pham Van Ninh in 'The Outlaw Doctor,' a series that follows a Vietnamese physician navigating moral dilemmas and survival struggles as an immigrant in Taiwan.

“This is a reward for the long journey not only of myself but also of those who have accompanied and believed in me along the artistic path,” Phat said at the awards ceremony.

“More importantly, I feel the weight of responsibility as a Vietnamese artist carrying our stories and spirit to the global stage.”

In a meaningful gesture, Phat announced that he would donate part of his prize money to a fund supporting migrant workers in Taiwan as a way to encourage those who are working tirelessly far from home.

He also credited the success to the film’s production team, acknowledging the invaluable lessons he learned from them.

Their sincerity gave him strength to face challenges and ultimately achieve this result, he said.

The Golden Bell Awards, often dubbed Taiwan’s equivalent of the Emmys, honor outstanding achievements in television.

Phat’s win marks not only a personal milestone but also a breakthrough for foreign talent in Taiwanese media, as he became the first non-Taiwanese actor to win Best Leading Actor in his debut appearance in the local industry.

Phat continues to expand his artistic range with two upcoming Vietnamese films.

In 'Quan Ky Nam' (Ky Nam Inn), a romantic drama set in 1980s Saigon, he plays Khang, a young translator who forms a deep connection with a woman named Ky Nam, played by Do Thi Hai Yen.

Meanwhile, in the thriller 'Bay Tien' (Money Trap), Phat portrays Dang Thuc, a financial expert ensnared in a high-stakes web of scams and cybercrime, shedding light on the dark underbelly of modern financial fraud.