The Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange index rose 3.8 points, or 1.06 percent, to finish at 362.66 points on Wednesday.

Foreigners bought 33.16 billion dong ($1.6 million) worth of stocks and their total sales were valued at 18.14 billion dong, the exchange said.

Volume of shares traded: 18.19 million shares.

Value of shares traded: 346.92 billion dong.

Broker/trader comments

Doan Tran Phuong Phi, head of brokerage team, Ho Chi Minh City Securities:

"Stocks extended gains, mainly based on (gains by) major blue chips, namely Bao Viet, Masan Group, Vietcombank and Vincom.

"The liquidity on the two bourses dropped, which means that most traders closed their accounts for Tet. I expect the market to continue its rally after Tet when the country's macro outlook may get better and demand for cash could ease."

Tran Minh Hoang, analyst, Vietcombank Securities:

"Major blue chips continued to be drivers of the market's rise today. I don't see signs of life for the market in the first quarter but cash inflows may strengthen late in the second quarter.

"Consumer goods and health care stocks will outperform in the market, while financial and real estate sectors will continue facing a tough year."

Source Reuters