Shares inched higher on Monday morning, backed by manufacturing and real estate stocks.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the market benchmark VN-Index rose 5.44 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 1,394.68 points.

The market breadth was positive, with 237 stocks increasing while 196 stocks declined. The liquidity was also high as investors poured VND15.3 trillion (US$673.2 million) into HoSE.

The index's gain was driven by large-cap stocks, mostly in manufacturing and real estate sectors.

However, the VN30-Index, which tracks 30 biggest stocks on the southern bourse, fell 2.4 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 1,486.31 points. Of the VN30 basket, 14 stocks rose, while 15 slid and one ended flat.

Vietnam Rubber Group (GVR) led the index's support group, with a rise of 4.05 per cent. It was followed by Vinhomes (VHM) and Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), with BVH hitting the biggest daily gain of 7 per cent.

But as selling pressure persisted, the market is likely to face a downward trend in the afternoon session if it can't gather enough support.

On Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HoSE), the HNX-Index also climbed 5.05 points, or 1.29 per cent, to 396.26 points. VNS