Stocks rose for the first time since July 18 as blue chips led the market higher. The index closed at the high of the session, up 7.52 points, or 1.2%, to 656.11. Index stalwarts VCB (+2.8%), GAS (+2.5%), CTG (+2.3%), VNM (+0.6%) and VIC (+1.0%) were the top contributors to the rally, breaking through what had so far been a lethargic summer trading week.