The first group of trainees for the China-Laos railway have been undergoing intensive Chinese language and professional railway theory training since mid-July in the Laotian capital Vientiane.

Somphone Inleuangsy from the hilly Luang Namtha province of northern Laos says that she wanted to be one of the first female train drivers for the country's first modernized railway.

"I've always been interested in railways and I think women can work in this field too, so I decided to apply for this job," says Somphone, 23.

She learned Chinese before, but this time she has to learn railway terminology. "There are so many technical words and they are not easy to understand. This training is important to me," she adds.

Somphone says the railway is an exciting place to work and provides real benefits and a great opportunity.

A total of 233 hopefuls are receiving training at the Confucius Institute at the National University of Laos. They are learning to be train drivers, engine mechanics, train operators and railway maintenance supervisors. They were selected by the Laos-China Railway Co Ltd, a joint venture based in Vientiane.

Somphone says the job is important to her and through it she can fulfill her dream and take care of her family.