Vietnam index rises on rate cut plan, funds buying

HANOI, March 17 (Reuters) - Vietnam's benchmark VN Index rose 0.6 percent at the break on Monday, following state media reports that the central bank would cut key rates this week and a buying plan by an exchange-traded fund. The central bank will lower the ceiling on interest rates that banks can offer on dong deposits to 6.0 percent per annum from 7.0 percent now, state-run Voice of Vietnam radio said earlier on Monday. "Sentiment is positive because the rates cuts imply a stable mac