Shares retreated in Ha Noi but continued to rise on the HCM City Stock Exchange this morning with improved trading value. The VN-Index gained 0.19 per cent, reaching 386.41 points.

The value of trades on the southern bourse almost doubled yesterday morning's figure to VND545 billion (US$25.9 million). Trading volume reached 25.8 million shares.

Blue chips were mixed, with 11 stocks tracked by the VN30 advancing and seven declining. The index still managed to add 0.13 per cent 452.18 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index slid 0.44 per cent, standing at just 51.87 points.

Trading was sluggish, with around 15 million shares worth only VND96.5 billion ($4.5 million) changing hands.

The HNX30, composed of the northern exchange's best stocks, finished this morning at 94.86 points, 0.33 per cent off.

The two bourses were due to reopen at 1pm.