FIFA-accredited referee Vo Minh Tri won the Golden Whistle award for the best referee of the year following his outstanding performance in the V-League last season.

Tri, 38, received 72 votes with a total of 310 points, beating his colleague Vo Quang Vinh, who came in second with 202 points.

Phung Dinh Dung of Hanoi bagged third place.

Following the announcement on Oct. 12, linesman Nguyen Ngoc Ha from Hai Duong took the Golden Flag with 341 points.

It's the second year in a row that Ha has won the title for best referee's assistant.

He was followed by Nguyen Phong Vu from Ha Tinh and Nguyen Hoang Minh of Dong Nai, who finished second and third, respectively.

"Tri is a popular choice for the award. He always shows the experience and skills of a FIFA referee," said chairman of the National Referee's Council Nguyen Van Mui.

The 38-year-old was one of the youngest referees to be accredited by FIFA back in 2001.

Last year, Tri just won the Bronze Whistle.

The official awards ceremony will be held in Hanoi on Oct. 14./.