Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is to visit Vietnam later this month as part of a regional familiarization trip and to boost bilateral ties, state media said in Hanoi today.

Badawi will arrive on Jan 26 for a one-day official visit, just after the traditional lunar new year.

He will hold talks with Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, President Tran Duc Luong, and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai to discuss ways to enhance ties between the two countries, the Vietnam News Agency said.

It will be his first visit to Vietnam since he replaced Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister of Malaysia in October last year.

"It is also seen as a routine visit made by the leader of an Asean member country after taking office," VNA added. - AFP