Onthe HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index edged down 0.14 percent to close at 682.3points. The southern market index decreased 0.2 percent on the previous day.
Onthe Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index lost 0.5 percent to 82.9 points,expanding its two-day fall to 1.3 percent.
Themarket condition was negative as the declining stocks overwhelmed the risingones by 256-156 while another 292 codes remained flat.
Tradingvolume fell 12.5 percent from the previous session, totalling 110.3 millionshares over the two markets. The value of trades was unchanged at 2.5 trillion VND(110.6 million USD).
“Themarket is under the strong influence of the upcoming Tet holiday,” said TranDuc Anh, a stock analyst at Bao Viet Securities Co in a market report.
Anhsaid investors were withdrawing money from the market due to high cash demandfor spending during the year-end holiday. At the same time, new investmentswere waiting for clear opportunities, resulting in quiet trade with lowliquidity.
Averagetrading value decreased from over 2.9 trillion VND in the two markets in Decemberto around 2.5 trillion VND in January. Trade has dropped more sharply towardsthe end of the month.
Large-capstocks continued to see negative performance as 20 of the top 30 largest stocksby market capitalisation and liquidity lost value while only three advanced,including Vietinbank (CTG), Sacombank (STB) and multi-sector business Hoang AnhGia Lai Group (HAG).
HanoiBeer Alcohol and Beverage JSC (Habeco) started its first trading day on the HCMStock Exchange with the code BHN on January 19. Its price rose 5.5 percent tosettle at 135,000 VND a share.
Thebiggest listed brewery Sabeco (SAB) closed flat at 223,800 VND a share.
Biglosers also included dairy giant Vinamilk (VNM), real estate developer VinGroup(VIC), Masan Group (MSN), Military Bank (MBB) and PV Gas (GAS).
Foreigninvestors returned as net buyers after two net selling sessions, picking up thenet value of VNĐ9 billion. They were responsible for total net sell value of 41billion VND in the last two trades.-VNA