•  PM receives Thai army general

She said she was pleased with the strong development of bilateral cooperation, especially in economics, trade, investment and defence and security.

The Vice President applauded the successful organization of the first Vietnam-Thailand Joint Trade Committee in Hanoi last July, when both countries agreed to raise annual two-way trade by 20 percent to US$18 billion by 2015.

She also thanked Khon Kaen province for supporting the Vietnamese community over the past few years.

Prasert Prakoonsuksapan said that he hopes in the future, both countries will open a direct air route from Khon Kaen to Hanoi and HCM City to boost trade and tourism as well as to improve connectivity between their different localities.