How to Invest in US Stocks from Vietnam 2025: Tips on Trading Time and Tool Selection

To invest in the US stock market from Vietnam, you first need to understand the differences between various trading tools. This foundational step helps you choose the most suitable options based on your goals and risk tolerance.

Two Main Ways to Own US Stocks

ETF - The Choice for Conservative Investors

Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF) allow you to own a basket of stocks instead of just one company. This approach effectively diversifies risk because your value is not dependent on a single stock.

The main benefits of ETFs include:

• Lower management fees compared to trading individual stocks
• No need for in-depth knowledge of each company
• Easy diversification of your portfolio
• Limiting market manipulation impacts

Popular S&P 500 ETFs like Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) track the performance of the 500 largest US companies.

CFD - Flexible Tool for Active Investors

Contracts for Difference (CFD) allow you to trade individual stocks like Apple, Tesla, or Amazon without actually owning them. You profit from price changes, not from holding shares.

Advantages of CFDs:

• Can profit from both rising and falling prices
• Use high leverage to amplify gains
• Trade multiple assets from a single platform
• Competitive trading costs

Why Vietnamese Investors Should Explore the US Market

Scale and Superior Opportunities

The US stock market includes over 6,300 securities, giving you access to global giants like Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Google. This is an opportunity that the Vietnamese market currently does not offer.

The two largest exchanges - New York (NYSE) and NASDAQ - have a market capitalization of about $24.6 trillion and continue to lead the world in size and liquidity.

Higher Returns Significantly

Compared to the VNIndex, which is down 9%, the S&P 500 has increased by over 39% since May 2018. The Nasdaq index has even surged by 64%, reflecting the growth potential of tech companies.

These figures clearly demonstrate the long-term profit potential of the US market.

Global Risk Diversification

When Vietnam’s economy faces high-interest pressures and the VND depreciates, owning US stocks helps protect your assets. Diversifying your international portfolio is a smart financial protection strategy.

Top 10 US Stocks Followed by Investors

Here is a list of major stocks that new investors often consider:

Note: These values fluctuate over time; information is for reference only.

US Stock Trading Hours and Position Management

NYSE and NASDAQ Operating Hours

Both US stock exchanges operate from Monday to Friday, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM local US time (which corresponds to 21:30 the previous night to 4:00 AM the next morning Hanoi time).

This trading window is when liquidity is highest, and price movements most accurately reflect market news.

Position Management When Trading

When using CFDs, profits and losses are amplified by leverage, so you need to monitor your positions regularly. Set take-profit and stop-loss levels before entering trades to protect your capital.

Three Major US Stock Indices

S&P 500 - Representative of the Overall Market

The S&P 500 index is composed of 500 leading companies, accounting for about 80% of the US market capitalization. It uses a market-cap weighted method, so larger companies have a bigger impact on its movements.

The S&P 500 reflects the overall trend of the US stock market, making it the best indicator to assess the US economy’s health.

Dow Jones - Leading Blue-Chip Companies

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is one of the oldest and most widely used indices globally. It includes 30 of the largest and most influential companies, representing about a quarter of the US market value.

Dow is famous for its list of blue-chip companies with a history of regular dividends, making it favored by conservative investors seeking stable income.

NASDAQ - Tech Sector Indicator

Nasdaq is the second-largest exchange by market cap. It started in 1971 as the world’s first electronic quotation system, later evolving into an automated matching market.

The Nasdaq Composite index reflects the performance of the tech sector and investor sentiment towards high-growth stocks, including many emerging tech companies along with giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.

The Two Main US Stock Exchanges

NYSE - The Oldest Exchange

The New York Stock Exchange was founded in 1792, making it one of the oldest exchanges. Many of America’s longstanding and large companies are listed here.

In 1888, the exchange surpassed 1 million shares traded in a day. By 2022, this number grew to 5 billion shares, showing enormous growth.

International corporations can also list on NYSE if they comply with SEC rules (.

) NASDAQ - The Pioneering Electronic Market

Nasdaq started as a simple “quotation system,” later developing into the world’s first automated matching market. Listing requirements are less strict than NYSE, so it hosts many small-cap and emerging tech companies.

Therefore, stocks on Nasdaq tend to be more speculative and carry higher risks, but also offer higher profit potential.

Getting Started with Trading

Choose a Reputable Trading Platform

Your broker plays a decisive role, directly affecting your potential profits. Ensure the platform is licensed by a reputable regulatory authority and has positive reviews from the investor community.

Platforms supporting US stock trading typically offer analysis tools, economic calendars, and demo accounts with virtual money for practice.

Prepare Foundational Knowledge

Before risking real money, use a demo account to understand how US stock indices, stocks, and derivatives work.

Learn about technical analysis, fundamental analysis, and risk management. You should understand concepts like leverage, margin, stop-loss, and take-profit before trading live.

Develop a Specific Financial Plan

When ready, start with a small capital and low leverage. Modern platforms offer leverage up to 1:200 on major indices, but remember that leverage is a double-edged sword—it amplifies both gains and losses.

Define your strategy: Do you want to invest long-term following trends or trade short-term? ETFs suit long-term investors, while CFDs are for those who can tolerate higher risks.

Your US Stock Trading Journey

After choosing a platform and tools, the trading process follows these steps:

Step 1: Register an account and complete identity verification

Step 2: Use analysis tools on the platform to identify trading opportunities

Step 3: Deposit margin into your account ###minimum $50 USD(

Step 4: Place buy orders when expecting prices to rise or short sell when expecting prices to fall

Step 5: Monitor your positions and execute take-profit or stop-loss orders promptly

Summary: Next Steps for Vietnamese Investors

The US stock market offers investment opportunities with superior scale and returns. From the S&P 500 to Nasdaq, from ETFs to CFDs, you have many tools to participate in this market.

Trading hours are from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM US time, or 21:30 the previous night to 4:00 AM Hanoi time—an important detail to remember if you want active trading.

The final step is action: choose a reputable broker, learn through a demo account, develop a financial plan, and start trading. Be patient, disciplined, and always manage risks—these are the keys to success in US stock investing.