Vietnam's benchmark VN Index closed up 0.13 percent on Thursday as gains in energy shares reflected a sharp rebound of global oil prices in the previous session, analysts said. Losses in other big-caps, including dairy product maker Vinamilk that dipped 0.99 percent, mirrored profit taking after the index hit its seven-week high close on Tuesday. Analysts said they expected the index to advance to as high as 640 points in the first quarter.