On the HCM Stock Exchange, the VN-Index lost 0.14 percent to stand at472.16 points. Profit-taking largely drove trading in the markets, whichended at nearly 2.5 trillion VND (119 million USD) on a volume of 143.5million shares, an increase of 25 percent in value and 21.6 percent involume over April 17's session.
Nearly three-quartersof the 30 leading shares by market value and liquidity declined. Alsothree real estate shares hit record lows, including Khang Dien House(KDH), Quoc Cuong Gia Lai (QCG) and Sudico (SJS).
Eight other stocks on the VN30 contributed to its decline, which closed at 541.60 points, down by 0.46 percent.
A number of real estate firms managed to continue their rising streak,even set highs, including Becamex Infrastructure Development (IJC), DatXanh Real Estate Service and Construction (DXG), Kinh Bac CityDevelopment (KBC) and Tu Liem Urban Development (NTL).
Telecommunications equipment provider Sacom (SAM) was the most widely traded stock, with 7.3 million shares changing hands.
On the Hanoi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index slid 0.7 percent to finishat 79.33 points on a turnover of nearly 1.27 trillion VND (60 millionUSD).
Declines led advances by a margin of 144-138.
In Hanoi, Habubank was still the most actively traded stock in termsof volume, around 11.7 million shares, but still closed down 1.4 percentat 6,900 VND.