A Vietnamese language course for Thai journalists began for the firsttime in Bangkok on January 20, in an effort to draw more interestsfrom the Thai media to Vietnam .

Organised by the Thai Journalists Association under the auspices ofCement Siam Group of Thailand , the 10-week course gathered 30reporters and journalists working for newspapers, television and radiostations across the country.

Once finished, twotrainees will be chosen for a fact-finding trip to Vietnam , which isalso expected to give them an insight into the country’s journalism.

Vietnamese language has recently caught interests of residents in Bangkok and some other parts in Thailand .

Earlier,the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the ThaiCommission of Higher Education also opened Vietnamese language courses,which were most attended by overseas Vietnamese in Bangkok .

This one for journalists is the first of its kind.

Relations between Vietnam and Thailand are growing, especially in economics, politics, culture and social affairs.

The two countries’ two-way trade has maintained a double digit growth over the past years.

Vietnam has become Thailand ’s fourth largest trade partner whileThailand has been among top ten investors in Vietnam , with atotal investment capital of over 13 billion USD.

Atrecent talks, the two countries’ leaders agreed to soon lift bilateralties to a strategic partnership and enhance links in socio-culture andeducation through the establishment of language training centres intheir countries.-VNA