Worst-performing stocks put Vietnam investors on edge

Bearish market: People walk past the stock exchange centre in Hanoi. Many of the Vietnamese who are new to the market are staying on the sidelines or getting out and liquidity is falling. — Reuters

HO CHI MINH CITY: The world’s biggest stock-market slump is testing the resolve of Vietnam’s investing masses.

A government crackdown on real estate companies, corruption probes and tightening credit have pushed the benchmark VN Index down 36% this year – tied with Sri Lanka’s gauge as the world’s worst performance – led by banks and property firms.