Vietnam has officially been upgraded to Secondary Emerging Market by FTSE Russell, effective September 21, 2026, a crucial step towards an MSCI Emerging Market upgrade. This milestone is expected to standardize the capital market, enhance its reputation, and attract stable, long-term foreign investment.
The Vietnamese stock market experienced a strong rally on April 8, 2026, with the VN-Index surging over 4.7%, driven by easing international tensions and the confirmation from FTSE Russell that Vietnam will be upgraded to an emerging market from September 2026. This upgrade news activated strong cash flow, especially into large-cap stocks, leading to widespread gains across sectors.
The VN-Index recorded a historic 4.71% gain with 45 stocks hitting the ceiling across all exchanges, driven by aggressive buying and a 44% surge in daily liquidity, signaling a strong return of large capital. Securities and real estate sectors were particularly strong, with many blue-chips also reaching their daily limits.
FTSE Russell has confirmed Vietnam's reclassification from Frontier to Secondary Emerging market status, effective September 2026, along with a detailed 4-tranche roadmap for inclusion into FTSE GEIS indices by September 2027. A reference list of 32 potential stocks, including major large-caps, was also released.
The VN-Index surged by a record 4.71% in one day, reaching a one-month high, following FTSE Russell's announcement to upgrade Vietnam from frontier to emerging market status. Trading volume nearly doubled, with most large-cap stocks gaining significantly, despite foreign investors being net sellers.
Information provided for educational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Data sourced from public Vietnamese market feeds.