The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange was up 0.3 per cent to close at 543.79 points. — VNS Photo Gia Vi

HA NOI (Bizhub) — Vietnamese shares rose slightly this morning on both local markets, led by financial firms.

The benchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange was up 0.3 per cent to close at 543.79 points, and the HNX Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange inched up 0.1 per cent to end at 76.41 points.

The financial sector lifted the markets. The banking sector index gained 0.6 per cent, the insurance sector index rose 0.3 per cent and the brokerage sector index added 0.9 per cent.

Among banks, Vietconbank (VCB) rose 0.5 per cent, while Vietinbank (CTG) and the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID) were up 0.6 per cent each.

Insurance firm Bao Viet Holdings (BVH) edged up 0.6 per cent, brokerage firm Sai Gon Securities Incorporate (SSI) leaped 1.5 per cent and HCM City Securities Corporation (HCM) gained 1.1 per cent.

The market liquidity was low as investors were preparing for the Tet holiday and were unwilling to do additional trading activities at the moment. — VNS