A courtroom trial between a Vietnamese actress and business man has captured the attention of the nation.

30-year-old Phuong Nga is a high profile figure in Vietnam, known for her title as Miss Vietnam 2007 in Russia, and roles as an actress.

She is also a businesswoman, model and music lyricist.

Back in 2015, Nga was accused of pocketing close to a million dollars from Vietnamese businessman Cao Toan My.

My alleges that he sent Nga the money back in 2013 to buy a home that he says he later found out never actually existed.

Vietnamese celebrity Phuong Nga and businessman Can Town My. (Photo courtesy: VnExpress)

Both Nga and My are believed to have been involved in an extramarital affair at the time, and Nga’s defence team has argued against the fraud charges, saying the money Nga received was a gift.

The case has ignited moral debate in the Vietnamese public who has largely been supportive of Nga, despite the country’s history of condemning women in extramarital affairs.

When Nga was first arrested, she reportedly confessed to the fraud. However, in later trials, she retracted her confessions, saying it had been coerced.

She also insisted she had been in a love affair with My, but he rejected the claim.

The trial resumes today.