Comprehensive Guide to Buying US Stocks from Vietnam in 2025

In 2025, more and more Vietnamese investors are interested in opportunities to profit from the US stock market. If you also intend to participate, it is a decision worth considering because the US stock market offers significant profit opportunities.

The US stock market is the largest exchange in the world, with over 6,300 stocks from domestic and international companies. It also has the highest market capitalization, hosting giant corporations like Apple, Amazon, Google with remarkable growth, attracting millions of investors worldwide.

Why Invest in US Stocks?

Diverse Opportunities and High Returns

Compared to the Vietnamese stock market, the US market provides an extremely rich variety of companies. NYSE and NASDAQ are two leading exchanges globally, allowing investors access to global private companies like Facebook, Microsoft, or Google.

Profit performance is also a main reason many Vietnamese seek US stock investment opportunities. The S&P 500 index has increased over 39% from May 2018 to now, while VNIndex has decreased about 9%. Nasdaq is even more impressive with a growth of over 64% thanks to the explosion of tech companies.

Risk Reduction Through Diversification

Owning US stocks helps investors reduce risk concentration in a single market. When the Vietnamese economy faces pressure from rising interest rates or VND depreciation, a portfolio with international securities will be better balanced.

Top US Stocks to Start Investing

If you don’t know which stocks to choose, below is a list of stocks that many investors are interested in:

Note: Stock prices are constantly fluctuating; the above information is for reference only.

Two Main Methods to Buy US Stocks in Vietnam

Foreign individual investors cannot directly purchase on NYSE or NASDAQ but need to use derivative tools.

1. ETF (Exchange Traded Fund)

An ETF is a fund traded on the stock exchange, tracking a benchmark index like S&P 500. It functions both as an investment fund and can be traded like stocks.

Advantages of ETFs:

• Easy diversification with low cost
• No need for in-depth knowledge of individual stocks
• Limits market manipulation impact

Some popular ETFs tracking US indices: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV).

2. CFD Contracts for Difference

CFDs allow you to invest in individual stocks without actual ownership. You invest in price differences, not in company shares.

Advantages of CFDs:

• More flexible than ETFs, can profit from both rising and falling prices
• Use leverage to increase purchasing power
• Access global markets from a single platform
• Low transaction costs
• Can short sell

Major US Stock Exchanges

NYSE (New York Stock Exchange)

Founded in 1792, NYSE is the first stock exchange in the US. The oldest and largest US companies are listed here. Besides US companies, international groups can also list if they comply with SEC rules.

In 1888, NYSE recorded 1 million shares traded in a day. By 2022, this number reached 5 billion shares. The market capitalization of NYSE in 2022 was nearly $24.6 trillion. The exchange operates from Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm (US time).

NASDAQ

NASDAQ is the second-largest exchange in the US, launched in 1971 as the world’s first electronic stock market. Initially just a quote system, it later developed into an automated matching market.

Listing conditions on NASDAQ are less strict than NYSE, so it often has many small-cap stocks or companies without US headquarters. Many new tech companies choose NASDAQ, making stocks here more speculative and riskier.

The Three Most Important US Stock Indices

S&P 500 (

The S&P 500 consists of 500 leading companies in the US market, selected based on market capitalization, liquidity, free float, industry sector, financial health, and trading history. These companies account for about 80% of the total US market capitalization.

The S&P 500 is weighted by market cap. If the total market value of these 500 companies decreases by 10%, the index also drops by 10%. This index reflects the overall trend of the US stock market.

) Dow Jones Industrial Average ###DJIA

DJIA is one of the oldest, most famous, and widely used indices worldwide. It includes 30 large and influential US companies, representing about a quarter of the total US stock market value.

Unlike the S&P 500, DJIA uses a price-weighted method, so stocks with higher prices have a greater impact on index movements. Dow is known for its blue-chip companies that pay regular, consistent dividends. However, this index does not represent small-cap, tech, or international stocks.

Nasdaq Composite

Nasdaq Composite is a market-cap weighted index of all stocks listed on Nasdaq, including foreign companies but mainly in the technology sector. Investors also find securities from finance, industrials, insurance, transportation, etc.

Nasdaq Composite includes both large and small companies, including speculative small-cap firms. Therefore, its movements reflect the performance of the tech sector and investor sentiment toward speculative stocks.

What to Prepare Before Investing in US Stocks?

Choose a Reputable Brokerage Firm

Brokers play a crucial role, directly affecting your returns. Choose a reputable company with clear regulations and good customer support.

Equip Yourself with Sufficient Knowledge

Before investing real money, learn about the US market and develop a suitable strategy. Many platforms offer demo accounts with virtual money for practice.

Plan Your Finances Carefully

If your initial capital is small, you can leverage to increase buying power. However, leverage is a double-edged sword—it can amplify profits but also losses. Use it wisely and conservatively.

Starting Your Foreign Stock Investment Journey

In summary, you have two main options when buying US stocks from Vietnam:

• ETFs are suitable for long-term investors seeking stability and easy diversification.
• CFDs are suitable for investors willing to take higher risks and aiming for higher returns.

Research thoroughly, choose a reputable broker, start with a modest capital, and keep learning to refine your investment strategy. Wishing you success in exploring opportunities from the US stock market!