Finance minister Dinh Tien Dung struck the gong on Tuesday to open the first trading session of 2017 on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange.

While both indices climbed, liquidity was low on investor caution. On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN Index edged up 0.7 per cent to close at 669.5 points. On the smaller exchange in Ha Noi, the HNX Index rose 1.4 per cent to 81.2 points.

The southern market index has risen by nearly 15 per cent in 2016, while the northern index remained mostly flat.

Large-cap stocks pushed the market up, with seven of the top 10 highest valued stocks gaining, including Vinamilk (VNM), lender BIDV (BID), Vietcombank (VCB), Vietinbank (CTG) and insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH).

The overall market condition was neutral, with 181 stocks rising, 184 falling and 334 staying unchanged. Liquidity was modest with only 62.2 million shares worth VND1.15 trillion (US$50.7 million) being traded in the two markets.

On Tuesday morning, two big state-owned enterprises, Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam National Textile & Garment Group, made their debut on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) under the code of HVN and VGT, respectively.

Vietnam Airlines hit the daily limit rise of 40 per cent for the first trading day at VND39,200 ($1.73) a share, but only 700 shares were traded by the end of the morning session. Vinatex’s stock price rose around 28 per cent to VND17,300 per share, with 336,000 shares changing hands.

The afternoon session starts at 1pm. — VNS