Shares extended losses this morning on the HCM City exchange with the VN-Index falling another 0.39 per cent to 446.05 points.

Investors were cautious in the face of the recent correction phase; just 40 million shares, worth more than VND535.6 billion (US$25.6 million), changed hands.

Blue chips led the downturn, of which bank shares were the biggest losers including Sacombank (STB), Military Bank (MBB), Eximbank (EIB) and Vietcombank (VCB).

The VN30, tracking the top 30 shares on the bourse, was down 0.56 per cent to stand at 524.964 points.

Tan Tao Industry Investment (ITA) continued to be the most active share on trades of 3.6 million shares, traded at VND6,900 a share.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index fell by a more substantial 2.06 per cent to finish this morning's session at 59.90 points.

More than 37.4 million shares, worth VND257 billion ($12.3 million), were traded by the end of this morning.

With 7.85 million shares changing hands this morning, Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB) was again the most active code, but the shares gave up 3 per cent to close at VND6,500 a share.

Trading will resume at 1pm.