The VN-Index forged ahead on Christmas Eve, picking up a significant 8.38 points to close at 479.13 points on a sudden increase thanks to the large blue-chip buy orders from foreign investors to become the highest increase in the last two weeks.

The trading volume grew by 43.9 million shares, up 25.71 percent against previous sessions, with a turnover of 1.62 trillion VND or an increase of 16.41 percent.

The day witnessed 147 gainers, 31 losers and 22 unchanged. Transactions were great in most codes, as Eximbank led the southern exchange with nearly 4.2 million shares traded, accounting for 9.50 percent of the market.

The southern market on Dec. 24 also witnessed the new listing of Tan Cang Logistics with 17 million shares. TCL closed the day at 41,000 VND per share with 74,700 shares changing hands.

Of  the l10 shares with largest liquidity, Bao Viet hit ceiling price to close at 31,100 VND per share, followed by PVF, HAG and STB.

Foreign investors on Dec. 24 bought a net of more than 5 million shares accounting for 11.53 percent of the entire market.

EIB was the most heavily purchased by foreign investors, followed by HAG, KBC, PVD and CTG.

In Hanoi, the HNX-Index was up by 3.72 points to end the day at 156.98 points, with 210 advancers, 25 unchanged and 27 losers. Trading volume stood at 23.1 million shares or 677 billion VND.

The northern market also saw strong activity, as the most active stock, VCG, BVS and KLS hit the ceiling. The northern bourse also received one more stock of the Marine Supply and Engineering Service Joint Stock Company. The share closed the day at 18,900 VND with 15,300 shares changing hands./.