Major SE Asia Stocks Markets declined, Vietnam down over 3%

• Vietnam sees worst day in over a year
• Vietnam Airlines hits record low

Southeast Asian stocks fell across the board on Thursday as the death toll from the coronavirus in China rose sharply, with Vietnamese shares losing more than 3%.

Vietnam markets opening after the Lunar New Year holidays saw their worst session in over a year, as investors
priced in the economic impact of the virus outbreak. Arpit Nayak reports on  Reuters.

Adding to woes, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday expressed concern over the person-to-person spread of the virus in three countries, including Vietnam.

Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines was among the biggest losers as it shed 6.9% to close at a record low.

Meanwhile, WHO said it would reconvene later on Thursday to deliberate whether the rapid spread of the virus could now be labelled a global emergency.

By Arpit Nayak