Vietnam Stock Trading: How to Choose the Right Trading Platform

Choosing a trading platform is a crucial decision that directly impacts your investment outcomes. With over 70 stock exchanges in Vietnam and hundreds of international trading platforms, finding a reputable platform that suits your needs requires significant time and effort. This article will help you better understand the types of stock trading in Vietnam and the reputable trading platform options you should consider.

The Two Main Types of Stock Investment in Vietnam

Stock and Warrants Investment

In Vietnam, trading stocks and warrants accounts for the majority of market activity. Currently, about 750 stock codes and fund certificates are listed on the two main exchanges, while the Upcom platform has over 872 registered codes. In total, investors can buy and sell over 1,600 domestic securities.

When trading traditional stocks, you can use cash or leverage margin tools (margin) to expand your purchasing power. According to the State Securities Commission, the maximum margin ratio for domestic stocks is 50% with a 1:2 leverage. Margin interest rates typically range from 10% - 18% per year.

Some notes when trading domestic stocks:

• Settlement time: T+2 (2 working days after the transaction)
• Transaction fees: 0.15% - 0.5% of transaction value depending on the platform
• When trading on margin, you need about 20% profit annually to break even after costs and taxes

To access international stocks and US stocks, investors need to open an account with an international trading platform via CFD (Contract For Difference).

Derivatives Trading - Futures Contracts

Domestic derivatives trading focuses on the VN30 index – comprising 30 stocks with the largest market capitalization and liquidity. The advantage of derivatives is that it allows you to profit in both directions: you can place short or long orders to benefit from both market uptrends and downtrends.

Maximum leverage for domestic derivatives trading is up to 1:10, allowing for maximized profits with small capital. Derivatives trading occurs with T+0 settlement, meaning orders are matched immediately.

To trade international derivatives such as the S&P 500, Nasdaq, or commodities, you need to use an international trading platform. These platforms can offer leverage up to hundreds of times depending on the asset type.

Common strategies in derivatives trading:

• Short-term scalping based on price changes
• Technical analysis using indicators to find buy/sell signals
• Tight risk management due to high volatility

Reputable Stock Trading Platforms in Vietnam

Domestic Exchanges

1. HOSE - Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange

HOSE is Vietnam’s largest stock trading center, listing shares and bonds of leading companies. Currently, over 539 securities are traded on this exchange.

Trading features:

• Trading hours: 9:00 - 15:00, Monday to Friday
• Order types: periodic, continuous, negotiated
• Settlement time: T+2 (T+1 for bonds)
• Trading units: odd lots (10, 20, 30…)

2. HNX - Hanoi Stock Exchange

Established in 2005, HNX trades stocks and warrants, supporting derivatives and bond markets. HNX is currently restructuring to focus on derivatives, while stock trading is gradually moving to HOSE.

3. Upcom

Upcom is the platform for trading stocks that do not meet listing requirements on HOSE and HNX. It currently hosts over 800 stocks, futures contracts, warrants, and ETFs. Major companies like FPT, LTG, QNS are also traded here.

Upcom characteristics:

• Price fluctuation band larger than (over 15% per day, double that of HOSE)
• Diverse products but with lower transparency compared to HOSE and HNX

4. OTC Market

OTC trading involves stocks from Upcom and unregistered securities based on “buy-sell convenience.” Initially, OTC transactions occurred over-the-counter, but now they are conducted via platforms, brokers, and organizations.

Although regulated under securities law, OTC trading carries higher risks due to lack of transparency and limited liquidity.

5. SSI - Saigon Securities Inc.

SSI is one of the oldest and largest online securities companies in Vietnam, favored by many retail investors. The platform supports a full range of products including stocks, warrants, ETFs, bonds, derivatives, and investment advisory services.

International Trading Platforms

Besides domestic platforms, many international brokers provide access to a wide range of assets such as forex, global indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and foreign stocks. These platforms often offer higher leverage, competitive fees, and 24/7 trading support.

Available asset types:

• 60+ forex pairs (EUR/USD, GBP/USD, etc.)
• 10+ international stock indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, etc.)
• Commodities: gold, silver, crude oil, platinum
• Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple
• International stocks: Apple, Google, Microsoft, Tesla

These international platforms typically provide MT4, MT5, or custom trading platforms, with fast order execution and comprehensive technical analysis tools.

Stock Market Trading Hours in Vietnam

Domestic exchanges operate from 9:00 to 15:00 on weekdays (Monday to Friday). International platforms offer more flexible hours, allowing near-continuous trading.

Effective Stock Investment Strategies

Long-term Investment in Indices and Green Stocks

This strategy suits long-term investors. Focus on stable indices like Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, or large-cap stocks with steady annual growth such as Google, Microsoft. It’s a safe, low-risk approach with long-term profit potential.

Breakout Growth Stocks Trading

Even during economic downturns, some sectors and stocks experience strong growth, especially in healthcare, biotech, and information technology. Short-term investors can consider investing in these stocks once the trend is confirmed.

Using Derivatives Trading to Benefit from Price Volatility

Derivatives markets allow profits in both directions. When the market declines, you can use short-selling tools to profit from falling prices. This strategy is suitable for traders with good technical skills and risk management.

Important Tips When Starting Trading

Choose the Right Platform: Consider factors such as product offerings, fees, reputation, customer support, and trading tools.

Start Small: When new, trade with small amounts, minimal lots, and the lowest leverage possible.

Continuous Education: Keep records of your trades, analyze reasons for profits/losses, and learn from each transaction.

Risk Management: Always set stop-loss (stop loss) and take-profit (take profit) orders to protect capital during sudden market movements.

Understand the Products: Before trading, ensure you fully understand the product, associated risks, and strategies aligned with your goals.

Conclusion

The Vietnamese stock market offers many options for investors, from reputable domestic stock exchanges to international platforms. The key to success is choosing a trustworthy platform that fits your needs, understanding the different types of trading, and implementing suitable investment strategies.

Whether investing in traditional stocks, warrants, or derivatives, the most important factors are sufficient knowledge, good risk management skills, and a resilient mindset amid market volatility. We hope this article provides a comprehensive overview of stock trading in Vietnam and prepares you for your investment journey.