A paradox is unfolding in Vietnam’s stock market: while the VN-Index continues to surge to record highs—its figures on the electronic board striking enough to make big news headlines—the sense of exhilaration is far from universal, with many investor groups remaining reserved. Big gain with bad breadth On Thursday, May 7, the VN-Index climbed to a fresh peak near 1,925 points, surpassing the previous record of 1,918 set on January 14. Just days later, during the first trading session of the week on May 11, the index briefly touched 1,927 points before slipping into a correction. The market has now logged seven straight weeks of gains, marking one of its longest sustained upward streaks in recent memory. That said, a paradox is emerging: despite the VN-Index’s relentless climb to new highs, investor sentiment remains muted. Unlike earlier periods—when capital inflows were robust and trading floors buzzed with activity—many individual investors today find themselves less enthusiastic. The reason is clear: even as the benchmark index surges, numerous personal accounts are still in the red or showing only modest gains. This dynamic reflects the persistent phenomenon often described as “green on the outside, red on the inside.” The VN-Index’s gains are heavily […]