Vietnam Media is debuting Nguyen Thanh Van's Little Heart (Trai Tim Be Bong) at Hong Kong's Filmart.

The film follows the plight of a village girl when she is sold to a brothel in the city.

Nguyen, who was named best director for this film at the Golden Kite Awards, said the film was based on a story he had read in a newspaper.

'I was really moved by the girl's misfortune. Regardless of the unforeseen difficulties and risks ahead, in Vietnam thousands leave the villages to look for jobs in the city and earn money to support the family,' he said.

Produced by state-owned Vietnam Feature Film Studio, the picture also won a Silver Kite award for best film, best actress for Nguyen Lan Ha and critics awards. It is scheduled for a May release in Vietnam.

Nguyen Thanh Van's previous film Sandy Lives won best film at the Asia Pacific Film Festival in 2000.