Shares continued to slide this morning's trading on both national stock exchanges.

On the HCM City Stock Exchange, the VN-Index failed to retain the rally during most of the morning session, retreating 0.04 per cent to 392.37 points.

Trading was sluggish, with market value halving compared to the previous morning's trade to just VND244.4 billion (US$11.6 million). Trading volume reached nearly 23.3 million shares.
Although only five out of the 30 leading shares tracked by the VN30 advanced, they helped lift the index up 0.15 per cent to 460.89 points. The stocks were Eximbank (EIB), Tu Liem Urban Development (NTL), Phu Nhuan Jewellery (PNJ), Vingroup (VIC) and Vinamilk (VNM).

The benchmark HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange also shed 0.83 per cent, lowering to 54.98 points.

Losers largely overwhelmed gainers by 107-39.

Of the 13.5 million shares traded today, the total value fell 29.5 per cent to VND91.8 billion ($4.3 million).

The HNX30, representing the performance of Ha Noi bourse's top shares, fetched 102.68 points, a 1.5 per cent decrease.

The two stock exchanges will reopen at 1pm