SE Asia Stocks-Most rise ahead of China growth data; Vietnam slumps

* Vietnam slumps as much as 2 percent

* Philippines on track to snap 3 straight sessions of losses

* Signs of recovery in China's economy buoys sentiment

By Shreya Mariam Job

April 16 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose

on Tuesday, with Philippines leading the gainers, on optimism

over a potential economic recovery in China ahead of its

first-quarter growth data on Wednesday.

China's economic growth during the quarter is likely to have

cooled to the weakest pace in at least 27 years, a Reuters poll

has showed, but a flurry of measures to boost domestic demand

may have put a floor under slowing activity in March.

The People's Bank of China said some positive changes have

occurred in the structural adjustments of the Chinese economy in

the first quarter, but deeper problems remain, amid

uncertainties.

Last week, the country reported strong credit growth as well

as exports for March.

"Players in Asia may turn defensive today ahead of China's

GDP report on Wednesday, which may provide some direction," ING

said in a note.

Philippine stocks led gains in the region and were on

track to snap three consecutive sessions of losses, after the

delayed national budget was finally signed by Philippines

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday.

President Duterte signed a 3.7 trillion peso ($71.54

billion) budget for this year, its largest ever, ending months

of impasse that forced the Southeast Asian country to cuts its

growth target. Last month, Philippines reduced this target to

6-7 percent from 7-8 percent.

Industrials and real estate stocks drove gains in the

Philippine market with SM Investments Corp and JG Summit

Holdings Inc firming 1.8 percent and 2.2 percent,

respectively.

Meanwhile, Vietnam stocks fell as much as 2 percent

to its lowest level in nearly two months, with real estate

stocks dragging the index.

Vinhomes JSC and Vingroup JSC were the top

drags on the index shedding 3.1 percent and 2.8 percent,

respectively.

Thai market was closed for a holiday.

For Asian Companies click;

SOUTHEAST ASIAN STOCK MARKETS As at 0346 GMT

Change on the day

Market Current Previous close Pct Move

Singapore 3333.19 3325.86 0.22

Manila 7842.24 7787.98 0.70

Jakarta 6448.648 6435.151 0.21

Kuala Lumpur 1633.57 1631.33 0.14

Ho Chi Minh 971.89 982.9 -1.12

Change so far in 2019

Market Current End 2018 Pct Move

Singapore 3333.19 3068.76 8.62

Manila 7842.24 7,466.02 5.04

Jakarta 6448.648 6,194.50 4.10

Kuala Lumpur 1633.57 1690.58 -3.37

Ho Chi Minh 971.89 892.54 8.89

($1 = 51.7200 Philippine pesos)

(Reporting by Shreya Mariam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by

Uttaresh.V)