On the HCM Stock Exchange, the benchmark VN-Index lost 0.6 percent to reach 482.77 points. There were twice as many losers as gainers.

Trading saw 40.6 million shares worth 853.1 billion (40.2 million USD) changing hands.

The VN30, representing the performance of the southern bourse's 30 largest stocks, also slid back by 0.64 percent to 539.92 points.

Only insurer Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), Vietinbank (CTG), PetroVietnam Low Pressure Gas Distribution (PGD) and Vietcombank (VCB) added between 0.36-1.17 percent. Meanwhile, 20 others dropped in price.

On the Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index fell slightly by 0.56 percent to close the day at 62.34 points on a total turnover of 173.6 billion VND (8.18 million USD).

Only 61 shares, or 16 percent of the bourse's listed codes, managed to rally.

The HNX30, tracking the northern city's top shares, fell 0.67 percent to 116.05 points.

Foreign investors were net buyers on the day after weeks of dumping shares. The total net value reached 13.9 billion VND (655,600 USD).-VNA