Shares opened the new week on a positive note as investors risk appetite returned.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the benchmark VN-Index rose 10.91 points, or 0.83 per cent, to 1,324.11 points. The market's breadth was positive with 302 stocks climbing while 75 stocks declined.

The liquidity improved compared to thạt of last Friday's morning session with a total matching order value of VND14.8 trillion (US$651.4 million), up 9.6 per cent. Of which, the matching order value on HoSE increased by 8.3 per cent to VNĐ12.05 trillion.

The market's improvement was mainly driven by large-cap stocks, especially in banking and material sectors.

The VN30-Index, tracking 30 biggest stocks on the southern bourse, jumped 0.55 per cent to 1,426.34 points.

Twenty-four out of 30 biggest stocks in the VN30 basket edged higher in the morning trade, while five stocks dropped and one stock stayed unchanged.

Accordingly, Vietcombank (VCB) was the market's biggest influencer during the session, up 1.12 per cent. It was followed by Hoa Phat Group (HPG) with a rise of 1.79 per cent.

Other stocks like Vietnam Rubber Group (GVR), BIDV (BID), Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG) and Becamex IDC Corporation (BCM) all posted gains of more than 1 per cent.

On Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index also climbed 0.65 per cent to 341 points.

Meanwhile, foreign investors continue to flee from both two main exchanges. They net sold a total value of VND282.47 billion on HoSE and HNX in the morning trade. VNS