During his stay, PM Vejjajiva is expected to hold talks with PM Dung and pay courtesy visits to State President Nguyen Minh Triet and Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

A spokesperson for the Thai PM Office, Panithan Vathanazacon, said that the visit aims to promote cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade, tourism, transport and rice export.

Thailand and Vietnam are both leading rice exporters. Thailand wants to cooperate with Vietnam in building a regional rice depot and increasing the rice growing acreage. It also wants to develop new railway and road links to those running from China to Vietnam and Cambodia.