Set on an island in Hanoi's Red River, Tam Hon Me (Mother's Soul) won the top prize at the Vietnam Film Festival in Saint Malo, France.

Director Nhue Giang's 2011 film is about a driver who pulls a single mother's love away from her daughter. The young girl gives the maternal care she's missing to the orphan next door.

The film's two leading actors Hong Anh and Truong Minh Quoc Thai both won awards for Best Artist at the festival, which began on July 1st.

Mother's Soul was also the audience pick for the festival's best film.

Giang's movie has been winning praise since the year it was released. Mother's Soul earned the jury's prize at the 17th Vietnam National Film Festival.

Two years ago, young star Phung Ha Hoai Linh has became the youngest Vietnamese artist to win the Best Actress trophy at Dubai's International Film Festival.

Actors Van Trang and Dinh Toan of Bi Mat Tham Do (Scandal) and Khat Vong Thang Long (Thang Long's Aspiration), respectively, were both named Best Artist at this year's festival in Saint Melo.

Other awards including the jury's prize and the best documentary were awarded to Lua Phat (Once Upon a Time) and Chuyen Lang Then (Then Village's Story).

The six-day film festival was held under the Vietnamese Year in France Programme. The French jury board was led by Academy Award-winning director Regis Wargnier.-VNA