The actor earned the honor for his role as a doctor in “The Outlaw Doctor.” Wearing a traditional ao dai on stage, Lien called the award “beyond my imagination” and thanked the organizers for the recognition.

Colleagues and friends—including actress Hong Anh and director Phan Gia Nhat Linh—flooded his social media with congratulations, hailing the milestone as a first for a Vietnamese actor at the prestigious Taiwanese awards.

“The Outlaw Doctor” follows Vietnamese physician Pham Van Ninh (Lien) as he moves to Taiwan to care for his ailing mother. Unable to practice legally, he takes odd jobs at a hospital while secretly offering medical help to those in need. He crosses paths with Taiwanese doctor Cheng Wan Ping (played by Taiwanese actress Ning Chang), and the two grow close through their shared commitment to saving lives.

A Vietnam–Taiwan co-production, the series tackles social realism and crime, with filming in both territories. Lien has described the project as a turning point in his career, saying he even turned down another offer to take the role.

At 35, Lien rose to prominence with films such as “Song Lang” (The Tap Box), “Ngoi Nha Buom Buom” (Butterfly House), and Quy Co Thua Ke (The Heiress). He received the Tokyo Gemstone Award for promising actors at the Tokyo International Film Festival and was named Asia’s New Star at Asian Stars: Up Next (organized by Variety and the International Film Festival & Awards Macao) in 2019.

In 2021, he appeared in “Come and Go,” directed by Malaysian filmmaker Lim Kah Wai and released in Japan. His stints on “Running Man Vietnam” from 2020 to 2021 broadened his popularity. Most recently, he starred in “Quan Ky Nam” (Ky Nam Inn), Vietnamese director Leon Le’s film set in 1980s Ho Chi Minh City.

Founded in 1965, the Golden Bell Awards rank among Taiwan’s three top entertainment honors, alongside the Golden Melody Awards for music and the Golden Horse Awards for film.