Bank, steel stocks pull down Vietnam’s bourses

Shares declined slightly on both local exchanges on January 12 as bank and steel stocks lost rising momentum and foreign investors recorded the highest net sell value since the beginning of 2017.
Bank, steel stocks pull down Vietnam’s bourses ảnh 1Illustrative image (Source: danviet.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) - Shares declined slightly on both local exchanges on January12 as bank and steel stocks lost rising momentum and foreign investors recordedthe highest net sell value since the beginning of 2017.

Thebenchmark VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange closed at 686.96 points, nearlyflat compared to the previous day’s closing level of 687.16 points.

TheHNX Index on the Hanoi Stock Exchange inched down 0.2 percent to end at 83.29points. The northern market index retreated after rising a total of 2.7 percentin four consecutive sessions.

Markettrading liquidity was modest. Nearly 136.9 million shares were exchanged byinvestors, worth 2.32 trillion VND (103.2 million USD).

Bankstocks were on the defensive side yesterday as they were hit by profit-taking.According to BIDV Securities Corp (BSC), bank stocks were the key factor thatprevented the VN Index from reaching the testing level of 690 points.

Ofthe nine listed banks, Vietcombank (VCB) dropped 1.4 percent, Vietinbank (CTG)and Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID) shed 0.6 percent each,while Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Saigon-Hanoi Bank (SHB) and Eximbank (EIB)ended flat.

Steelproducers, including Hoa Phat Group (HPG), Hoa Sen Group (HSG) and Tien Len SteelJoint Stock Company (TLH) also decreased following gains made in the previoustwo days.

HPGslid 0.8 percent, HSG and TLH slipped 1.2 percent each. Those stocks gained atotal 2 percent, 2.2 percent and 2.8 percent during the January 10 and 11 tradingsessions.

Inaddition, foreign investors recorded the highest net sell value since thebeginning of this year and that was also a factor driving down domestic investorsentiment.

Foreignnet sell value yesterday was around 189.7 billion VND with a focus onoffloading stakes in HPG, HSG and VCB. On January 11, foreign investors boughta net value of 44 billion VND.

Onthe opposite side, brewer Sabeco (SAB), Faros Construction Corporation (ROS)and energy stocks were the ones that helped balance the market trading.

SABrose 0.3 percent to total a 3 percent increase after two sessions, while ROSadded 0.7 percent to extend its rally to 23 consecutive days since December 12with a total gain of 20 percent.

Theenergy sector achieved a slight increase, driven by PetroVietnam Gas Corp(GAS), PetroVietnam Coating Corp (PVB) and PetroVietnam Drilling and WellServices Corp (PVD) after oil prices advanced for a second day on globalmarkets.-VNA
VNA

See more

Many banks in Vietnam promote green credit for sustainable growth. (Photo: VNA)

State bank launches tool to facilitate green finance

As of March 2025, 58 credit institutions in Vietnam had outstanding green loans, a sharp increase from 15 in 2017. The average growth rate of outstanding green loans in the 2017-2024 period reached over 21% per year, higher than the growth rate of outstanding loans for the economy.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long said Vietnam supports ASEAN's stance in developing comprehensive, flexible, and practical strategic approach to strengthen intra-bloc economic autonomy. (Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

Vietnam backs ASEAN’s strategic approach to economic resilience, partnership

Vietnam vows continued close coordination with ASEAN and partner countries to identify cooperation opportunities in potential areas of mutual interest, including effectively leveraging the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA 3.0) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to address current challenges and work towards a transparent, stable, and fair international trade environment.

The Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA) project is expected to bolster Phu Quoc’s tourism. (Photo: VNA)

Investment plan for Sun PhuQuoc Airways approved

Sun PhuQuoc Airways is scheduled to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2025, with initial routes linking Phu Quoc to prominent economic and tourism centres in Vietnam and abroad.

A view of the conference. (Photo: VNA)

Banks need to promote data analysis to minimise financial crime

The SBV has also recently issued Decision No. 67/QD-NHNN on a digital transformation project aimed at deploying core utilities for the development of the banking sector, ensuring connection with Project 06. Under the project, the SBV requires financial institutions to use the national database on population, identification and electronic authentication for banking activities, thereby supporting digital transformation and enhancing the effectiveness of crime prevention.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh orders preparation to break ground on the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway line on December 19. (Photo: VNA_

PM sets December 19 launch date for Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway

To meet the December 19 groundbreaking target for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong line at five designated sites, he tasked the Ministry of Construction with drafting a detailed critical path timeline. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha was assigned to oversee execution and inter-ministerial coordination.