Vietnam foreign investors net sell VND 460B as VN-Index drops 31 points

Overview

Foreign investors and proprietary trading desks both turned net sellers on September 7, a session when the VN-Index fell more than 31 points. Foreign net selling reached nearly VND 460 billion, with the largest outflows concentrated in banking heavyweights VCB and CTG. Proprietary traders at securities firms also reduced exposure, adding over VND 214 billion in net selling, intensifying downward pressure on the market.

Key Facts

• Foreign investors net sold nearly VND 460 billion on September 7.
• VCB saw the largest foreign net selling at nearly VND 92 billion; CTG followed with about VND 74 billion.
• VIC was net sold by foreigners by more than VND 53 billion; SHB and DXG each saw around VND 43 billion in outflows.
• On the buying side, HDB led with VND 54 billion in net foreign purchases, followed by VRE (VND 43 billion) and VPB (VND 34 billion).
• Proprietary traders net sold over VND 214 billion, with VIX the top target at nearly VND 91 billion.
• MWG was the top proprietary net buy at nearly VND 52 billion.
• VN-Index fell more than 31 points during the session.

What Happened

According to the article “Theo dấu dòng tiền cá mập 07/09,” both foreign investors and proprietary traders (tự doanh) were net sellers on the first trading day of the week. Foreign investors offloaded nearly VND 460 billion, with the heaviest selling in VCB (nearly VND 92 billion) and CTG (about VND 74 billion). VIC also saw net selling of more than VND 53 billion, while SHB and DXG each recorded around VND 43 billion in outflows. Other names in the foreign net-selling list included MBB, VIX, and STB.

On the buy side, foreign investors showed smaller appetite, with HDB leading at VND 54 billion in net purchases. VRE attracted nearly VND 43 billion, VPB over VND 34 billion, and VHM and NLG drew about VND 19 billion and VND 17 billion, respectively. Notably, banking stocks appeared on both sides, but selling pressure at VCB and CTG outweighed buying elsewhere.

Proprietary traders also continued their selling streak, posting a net negative value of over VND 214 billion. VIX was the focal point with nearly VND 91 billion in net selling, almost three times the next two names, MCH and VPB, each around VND 34 billion. STB and FPT were also sold, with about VND 24 billion each, followed by HDB (nearly VND 22 billion) and MBB (about VND 21 billion). On the buying side, MWG stood out with nearly VND 52 billion in net purchases, far ahead of the rest. Two ETFs, FUEKIVFS and E1VFVN30, saw net buying of about VND 17 billion and VND 14 billion, respectively, while VIB and VHM each attracted around VND 10 billion.

Market Context

The selling pressure came on a day when the VN-Index dropped over 31 points, reflecting broad risk-off sentiment. VCB, trading on HOSE, closed at VND 58,000 on September 7, down from recent levels, while CTG closed at VND 30,800 and VIC at VND 245,000. The coordinated selling by both foreign and proprietary traders suggests a cautious stance amid market volatility. Banking stocks, which dominate the index, were particularly affected, with VCB and CTG leading outflows. The net selling by foreign investors aligns with a trend of foreign outflows seen in recent sessions, though the magnitude on this day was notable.

Strategic Significance

For long-term investors, the persistent foreign selling in blue-chip banks like VCB and CTG may reflect concerns about valuation or global risk appetite, rather than company-specific fundamentals. However, the fact that proprietary traders—who are often viewed as informed short-term players—are also reducing exposure could signal near-term caution. The buying interest in HDB, VRE, and MWG suggests selective opportunities remain, particularly in retail and real estate. Investors should monitor whether this selling pressure is a one-off or part of a broader trend, as sustained outflows could weigh on market liquidity and sentiment.

What to Watch

• Follow-up sessions: Whether foreign and proprietary net selling continues or reverses in the coming days.
• VCB and CTG price action: If selling pressure persists, these banking heavyweights could face further downside.
• Market-wide foreign flow data: Weekly or monthly foreign net flow figures to gauge the trend.
• Upcoming earnings or policy announcements: Any positive catalysts that could shift sentiment.
• VN-Index technical levels: Watch for support or resistance levels that could influence trading behavior.