The banking group also prospered with Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB), Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BID), Vietinbank (CTG), VPBank (VPB) and Techcombank (TCB) gaining. — VNS Photo Thai Ha

Vietnamese shares climbed on Friday morning, driven by the gaining momentum of banking stocks.

The VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange was up 0.17 per cent to end the morning session at 1,013.98 points.

More than 108.9 million shares were traded on the southern bourse, worth VND3.16 trillion (US$135.2 million).

The benchmark index finished down 0.05 per cent to end Thursday at 1,012.30 points.

Blue-chips advanced this morning, such as Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), FPT Corporation (FPT), PetroVietnam Gas JSC (GAS), Hoa Phat Group (HPG), The Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE), Vincom Retail (VRE), Vinhomes (VHM), Vingroup (VIC) and Mobile World Group (MWG).

The banking group also prospered with Asia Commercial Joint Stock Bank (ACB), Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BID), Vietinbank (CTG), VPBank (VPB) and Techcombank (TCB) gaining.

The VN30-Index, which tracks the 30 largest stocks by market capitalisation and liquidity, increased 0.11 per cent to close at 929.50 points.

In the VN30 basket, 18 of the 30 largest stocks advanced while 10 decreased.

On a sector basis, retail, insurance, real estate, information and technology, construction material, logistics, were among the best-performing industries.

Meanwhile, decliners included food and beverage, wholesale, agriculture, healthcare, rubber production, seafood processing, construction and petroleum firms.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index rose 0.11 per cent to close at 106.36 points.

Nearly 16 million shares were traded on the northern bourse, worth VND250 billion.

The northern market index had lost 0.89 per cent to close Thursday at 106.24 points.

The afternoon trading session starts at 1pm. — VNS