PRESS DIGEST - Vietnam newspapers - Aug 8

HANOI, Aug 8 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in the official Vietnamese press on Friday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

- - - -

FINANCIAL NEWS:

TUOI TRE

-- The Vietnam Bank Association reached agreement with member banks in Ho Chi Minh City over cutting interest rates.

-- Sacombank Securities will resume repo services, or lending based on the value of collateralised stocks, from late August, CEO Nguyen Ho Nam said.

- - - -

THOI BAO KINH TE VIETNAM

-- The State Bank of Vietnam has allowed commercial banks which have registered as public companies to buy back shares.