The VN-Index fluctuated in a narrow band throughout most of today's session and then closed down 0.62 per cent at 451.71 on the HCM City Stock Exchange today.
In all, 35.78 million shares worth VND933.3 billion ($47.9 million) were exchanged - a fall of 12 per cent by volume and 7 per cent by value.
The number of declines was three times higher than advances.
Ocean Group (OGC) continued as the most active stock on the southern bourse with 2.89 million shares changing hands. OGC closed unchanged at VND31,600 ($1.62) per share.
Of the 10 largest capitalised shares, four - Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAG), Hoa Phat Group (HPG), Masan Group (MSN) and Sacombank (STB)- posted gains in value. Five - Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), Vietinbank (CTG), Eximbank (EIB), Phu My Fertiliser (DPM) and Vincom (VIC)-declined.
Software giant FPT Corp (FPT) remained unchanged.
In Ha Noi, the HNX-Index fell another 1.16 per cent to close at 125.81.
Both market volume and value declined by 12 per cent to almost 23 million shares worth VND554.6 billion ($28.4 million).
Losers outnumbered gainers 198-67.
Blue-chips tumbled.
Of the 10 leading shares by capitalisation, only Tien Phong Plastic (NTP) closed higher, while five - Bao Viet Securities (BVS), Kim Long Securities (KLS), PetroVietnam Insurance (PVI), PetroVietnam Construction (PVX) and SHB Securities (SHS) - posted losses in value.
Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), PetroVietnam Technical Services (PVS) and Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB) were unchanged.
PetroVietnam Construction (PVX) resumed its role as the most active share nation wide with 2.88 million shares changing hands. PVX lost 1.7 per cent of its value to VND22,800 ($1.17).