Vietnam shares slide 0.7 percent; banks lead

Vietnam's benchmark VN Index ended down 0.7 percent on Friday, the third drop in a row, as banking stocks extended losses. Vietcombank, country's largest listed lender by market value, eased 1.46 percent. Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam dropped 1.61 percent and VietinBank fell 1.13 percent. "The VN Index is still moving in a safe area, but near the strong resistance area at 640," BIDV Securities said in a note to clients, adding that the index could rise again in coming sessions. The index started its decline after hitting near a 10-month high on Tuesday.