With 352 points, FIFA-accredited referee Vo Quang Vinh won the 2012 Golden Whistle award for the year's best referee, the Viet Nam Football Federation (VFF) announced on Wednesday.

This is the second time in a row Vinh has won this award.

Vinh, 37, from central Khanh Hoa Province, was highly praised by colleagues and VFF officials for his fair arbitration and accurate decisions during the 2011-12 football season.

Referee Vu Bao Linh from nothern Quang Ninh Province won the Silver Whistle with 192 points, 104 points more than the winner of the Bronze Whistle, Nguyen Trong Thu from central Da Nang City.

In the contest for the Golden Flag prize, lineman Phung Manh Long won the title with 280 points. Nguyen Hoang Minh and Nguyen Phong Vu won the Silver and Bronze flags, respectively.

The prizes aimed to encourage the referee crew to fulfil their assigned tasks and responsibilities effectively.-VNS