The markets gained further strength despite half-empty streets and offices as Vietnam prepare to welcome the Black Water Snake. After a bit of a struggle yesterday and in early trading today, the VNI finally cracked the 490 resistance to settle at 494.03, a two-year high. Bao Viet Holding (BVH), Petro Vietnam Gas (GAS), Pha Lai Thermal Power (PPC), and Eximbank (EIB) contributed half of the VNI’s 3.4 gain.