Local stocks remained positive in the early trading session while dairy firm Vinamilk (VNM) hit a fresh high of share value since it began listing on the HCM Stock Exchange. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The Vietnamese stock market remained positive in the early trading session, as dairy firm Vinamilk's shares reached a new high.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange rose 0.9 per cent to close at 653.89 points.

The HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange edged up 0.4 per cent to end at 82.61 points.

Pharmaceutical firms remained attractive to investors.

Cuu Long Pharmaceutical JSC (DCL), Domesco Medical Import-Export JSC (DMC) and DHG Pharmaceutical JSC (DHG) added between 2.4 per cent and 3.2 per cent.

Retailers were among the strongest gainers, led by software developer FPT Corp (FPT), Mobile World Investment Corp (MWG) and Hang Xanh Motor Services JSC (HAX).

FPT increased by 1.2 per cent, MWG jumped 3.8 per cent and HAX surged 6.8 per cent.

Among blue chips, Viet Nam Dairy Products JSC (VNM) advanced 2.4 per cent to hit a new high of VND168,000.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC (HAG) and Hoang Anh Gia Lai International Agriculture JSC (HNG) soared 6.8 per cent and 6.2 per cent, respectively.

Other leading sectors such as banks, and property and brokerage firms remained positive.

Investors traded nearly 98.6 million shares, worth VND1.66 trillion (US$73.8 million). — VNS