Shares failed to retain earlier gains this morning in both stock exchanges.

On the HCM City Stock Exchange, the VN-Index was flat, closing 0.01 per cent lower to 478.02 points.

Trading value plunged 67 per cent over yesterday morning session to just VND331 billion (US$15.7 million). Around 19.5 million shares changed hands.

Of the 30 leading shares by capitalisation and liquidity tracked by the VN30, nearly half managed to grow, pushing the index up 0.03 per cent to 538.34 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index dropped 0.9 per cent, finishing the morning at 58.66 points.

Market value continued to decline to just VND96.16 billion ($4.5 million) on a volume of 12.5 million shares.

The HNX30, composed of the northern city's top shares, tumbled by 1.2 per cent, reaching 109.73 points.

Trading will resume at 1 pm and close the day's session at 2.15 pm.