The number of losing shares neared the risers, but a 0.63-percent gain in PetroVietNam Gas, Vietnam's top firm by market value, and a 0.95-percent advance in dairy product maker Vinamilk cushioned the losses.
Volume by midday stood at 33.1 million shares, compared to the five-day average of 67.5 million, as investors stayed on the sidelines on the last trading day before the market closes for the Feb. 16-23 Lunar New Year break.
Foreign investors extended their net selling position to the sixth straight session on Thursday, supporting the overall sentiment despite some brokerages' concerns that investors may take profits from recent gains after the holiday.