Investors watching stock prices at Vietcombank Securities Co's trading floor. Both stock indices rise on Wednesday morning. — Photo vneconomy.vn

Shares advanced on Wednesday morning, propped up by positive performances from large caps.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the VN-Index increased 0.74 per cent to 972.53 points.

On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index edged up 0.32 to 106.04 points.

Overall market conditions were positive with gaining stocks outnumbering losing ones 223 to 162. Another 373 remained unchanged.

Blue chips continued to be the market's engine as 22 of the top 30 shares by market value and liquidity on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange gained value and only six declined.

'Vin' stocks – which include Vingroup (VIC), Vincom Retails (VRE) and Vinhomes (VHM) – were among the biggest gainers and supported the market most.

VRE rose more than 2 per cent while VIC increased 1.8 per cent and VHM grew 1.1 per cent.

Other blue chips which gained more than 1 per cent included PV Gas (GAS), Vietinbank (CTG), Mobile World Investment Group (MWG), brewer Sabeco (SAB), VPBank (VPB) and Phu Nhuan Jewelry (PNJ).

Liquidity was modest with 111 million shares worth combined VND2.25 trillion (US$101 million) traded in the two markets.

Afternoon trading starts at 1pm. — VNS