The VN-Index moved down 4 per cent to 393.57 points on the HCM City Stock Exchange as 90 per cent of the city's listed stocks lost value for the third day this week.

The value of trades reached only 68 per cent of yesterday morning's level, totaling VND552.65 billion (US$26.3 million) from 31.7 million shares.

The VN30, representing the southern bourse's top shares, also tumbled 4.2 per cent. The index reached 465.83 points, as all 30 shares failed to make gains, 25 of which closed this morning at floor prices.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index fell 5.55 per cent, standing at just 61.06 per cent. Blue chips sent the HNX30 down 4.15 per cent to 121.73 points.
Nearly 28.5 million shares worth an overall value of VND261.9 billion ($12.4 million) changed hands.

Kim Long Securities Co (KLS), which bottomed out during this morning's session, was the most heavily traded stock with 3.26 million shares.

The afternoon session will begin at 1pm.