Pocket Option: HOSE Exchange minimum stock purchase
Do you want to participate in the Vietnamese stock market but still wondering about "how many shares minimum to buy on HOSE exchange"? This article will provide detailed explanations about current regulations, analyze actual costs, and provide smart investment strategies specifically for the Vietnamese market in 2025. From new investors to seasoned experts, you will find practical information to optimize your investment portfolio.
Current regulations on minimum number of shares on HOSE exchange
HOSE (Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange) is the largest stock exchange center in Vietnam, where leading companies like Vingroup, Vietcombank, and FPT are listed. For newcomers, the question of "how many minimum shares to buy on HOSE exchange" is always an important starting point. According to official regulations, the standard trading lot (round lot) on HOSE is 100 shares. This means when placing a regular purchase order, you must buy a minimum of 100 shares or multiples of 100 (such as 200, 300, 1000 shares).
However, since September 2021, after implementing the KRX trading system, HOSE has expanded market access by allowing odd lot trading from 1-99 shares. This is a significant breakthrough, especially in the context where many blue-chip stocks like VHM, VIC, or BCM are currently trading above 50,000-100,000 VND per share.
| Trading Type | Number of Shares | Characteristics | Practical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round lot | 100 shares or multiples | Continuous matching transactions | Standard investment, large volumes |
| Odd lot | 1-99 shares | Separate trading, time limitations | Testing, small capital, portfolio completion |
Why are there regulations on minimum share purchases?
Have you ever wondered why the stock market doesn't allow you to buy exactly the number of shares you want? The regulation on "how many minimum shares to buy" on HOSE exchange is not established to create difficulties for small investors, but is a necessary mechanism to ensure market liquidity, efficiency, and stability.
Benefits of trading lot regulations
Trading lot regulations function as "links" in the financial ecosystem, bringing many practical benefits:
- Increased liquidity: Standardizing transactions helps make the matching process faster and more efficient
- Cost optimization: Reduces operating costs for the exchange and securities companies
- Process simplification: The matching system operates more smoothly with standard trading units
- Fairness and transparency: Creates an equal playing field for all investors
- Efficient portfolio management: Helps investors easily calculate and monitor their investment portfolio
As an expert at Pocket Option once compared: "Round lot regulations are like buying rice by the kilogram rather than by individual grains - it simplifies transactions and brings efficiency to the entire market." However, for investors with limited capital, the requirement to buy a minimum of 100 shares can be a significant barrier, especially with high-priced stocks.
Controversial perspective on minimum lot regulations
Some financial experts like Dr. Nguyen Van Linh, an independent analyst in the Vietnamese market, argue that: "The 100-lot regulation is outdated and no longer aligns with global trends. Developed markets like the US and Japan have allowed trading of individual shares for many years, contributing to the democratization of investment." This perspective, although still controversial, is gradually gaining support as HOSE has implemented odd lot trading as a stepping stone toward a more flexible trading system.
Actual costs when buying minimum shares on HOSE
When researching "how many minimum shares to buy" on HOSE exchange, most new investors only focus on the number of shares and overlook another important factor: the actual total investment cost. Real example: with VNM shares currently trading at 70,000 VND per share, buying a standard lot of 100 shares means you need at least 7 million VND, not including associated transaction fees.
| Fee Type | Typical Rate | Specific Example (10 million VND transaction) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brokerage fee | 0.15% - 0.35% | 15,000 - 35,000 VND | This fee can be negotiated with the securities company |
| Exchange transaction fee | 0.027% | 2,700 VND | Fixed fee as per HOSE regulations |
| Transfer tax | 0.1% (only when selling) | 10,000 VND (when selling) | Calculated on transaction value, regardless of profit/loss |
| Custody fee | 0.3-0.5 VND/share/month | 300-500 VND/month for 100 shares | Monthly recurring fee |
Pocket Option, as a pioneering financial partner in Vietnam, provides accurate investment cost calculation tools, allowing you to see the "big picture" of actual costs. Notably, when trading odd lots, some securities companies apply minimum fees (usually from 10,000-50,000 VND), which can significantly increase the percentage of costs relative to the total transaction value.
How to buy odd lot shares on HOSE exchange
Although the regulation "how many minimum shares to buy on HOSE exchange" clearly states the standard lot is 100 shares, odd lot trading is a reasonable solution for small capital investors or those wanting to test the market. Do you know how to execute this type of transaction?
Detailed odd lot order process
To buy 1-99 shares, your process will be slightly different from regular trading:
- Step 1: Log into your online trading account
- Step 2: Find and select the odd lot trading section (usually separated from round lot trading)
- Step 3: Select the stock code and enter the desired quantity (within the range of 1-99)
- Step 4: Set the purchase price (note: odd lot trading usually only supports limit orders, not market orders)
- Step 5: Confirm the order information and submit the order
- Step 6: Monitor the order status in the order management section
Unlike continuous round lot trading, odd lot trading is usually conducted according to a specific schedule. Understanding this timing will help you optimize your chances of successful order matching.
| Time | Activity | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 - 9:15 | Receive orders, no matching | Good time to prepare orders with reasonable prices |
| 9:15 - 14:30 | Receive orders and continuous matching | Main time for odd lot trading |
| 14:30 - 14:45 | Receive orders, no matching | Orders will be processed in the next trading session |
| 14:45 - 15:00 | Close, no orders accepted | System calculates closing prices |
Pocket Option not only provides detailed guidance but also has a 24/7 advisory team to directly support customers who want to execute odd lot transactions. In particular, Pocket Option's mobile application has an intuitive interface dedicated to odd lot trading, helping you easily execute these transactions even when on the move.
Smart investment strategies with limited capital
The question of "how many minimum shares to buy" on HOSE exchange often comes from investors with modest capital. But small capital doesn't mean small opportunities. Below are smart strategies highly rated by Vietnamese financial experts:
| Strategy | Advantages | Disadvantages | Real-life Example in Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) | Reduces timing risk, leverages average cost | Higher transaction costs | Buying 10 FPT shares monthly instead of 120 shares at once |
| Focus on value stocks | Long-term growth potential, less volatility | Takes longer to see results | Investing in VNM, VCB - industry leaders with stable dividend history |
| Investing in ETFs | Portfolio diversification, low costs | Returns may be lower than direct investment | E1VFVN30 - ETF mirroring VN30 with price only around 15,000-20,000 VND per certificate |
| T0 trading with high liquidity stocks | Leverage short-term fluctuations, increase capital turnover | High risk, requires good technical analysis skills | Trading HPG, MWG during sessions with 2-3% range |
| Sector rotation investment | Capitalize on specific industry growth trends | Concentration risk, cyclical industry fluctuations | Investing in BCM, KDH when the real estate sector shows signs of recovery |
Leveraging Pocket Option's analytical tools
Not everyone has the time and knowledge for in-depth market analysis. This is where Pocket Option's analytical tools prove their value. Instead of having to screen hundreds of stocks yourself, you can use:
- Smart stock filter: Filter by multiple criteria such as P/E, revenue growth, ROE...
- AI technical analysis system: Identify price patterns and provide trading suggestions
- Real-time volatility alerts: Notifications when stocks reach important price thresholds
- Weekly industry analysis reports: Updates on the latest trends in each sector
- Portfolio simulation tool: Test investment strategies without using real capital
"For new investors, Pocket Option's portfolio simulation tool is a secret weapon," shares Mr. Hoang Minh, an individual investor who increased his portfolio by 43% in 2024. "I tested various strategies without spending a dime before deciding on the optimal method for myself."
| Pocket Option Tools | Practical Application | Suitability Level |
|---|---|---|
| Smart stock filter | Find stocks trading below intrinsic value | Value investors |
| AI technical analysis system | Identify optimal entry/exit points | Short-medium term traders |
| Volatility alerts | Don't miss buying/selling opportunities | All investors |
| Industry analysis reports | Capture industry trends | Sector rotation investors |
Comparison of minimum purchase regulations between Vietnamese and international stock exchanges
To gain a more comprehensive view of the "how many minimum shares to buy" issue, let's compare regulations between domestic and international stock exchanges:
| Stock Exchange | Standard Trading Lot | Odd Lot Trading | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOSE (Vietnam) | 100 shares | 1-99 shares | Vietnam's largest exchange, odd lot trading has time limitations |
| HNX (Vietnam) | 100 shares | 1-99 shares | Many small and medium enterprises, less volatile than HOSE |
| UPCOM (Vietnam) | 100 shares | 1-99 shares | Official OTC market, higher risk but with opportunities |
| NYSE (USA) | 1 share | Not applicable | Flexible trading, no concept of round/odd lots |
| TSE (Japan) | 100 shares | 1-99 shares | Similar to Vietnam but with more flexible odd lot trading |
Compared to developed markets like the US, Vietnam still maintains a relatively rigid trading lot structure. However, according to experts at Pocket Option, this is a natural transition phase that emerging markets typically go through before moving to a completely flexible trading system.
"The global trend is moving toward removing investment barriers and Vietnam is not outside this trend," observes Dr. Tran Quang Vinh, Research Director at Pocket Option. "We expect that in the next 3-5 years, HOSE will move toward allowing trading in single share units flexibly like developed markets."
Trends in changing trading lot regulations
The question about "how many minimum shares to buy on HOSE exchange" may receive a different answer in the near future. Vietnam's stock market is in a continuous modernization process to align with international standards and meet the growing demands of domestic investors.
According to analysis from Pocket Option's team of experts, there are important trends shaping the future of the market:
| Trend | Potential Impact | Estimated Timeline | Impact Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| T+1.5 trading system | Shortened settlement time, increased liquidity | 2025-2026 | High |
| Extended trading hours | Increased trading opportunities, alignment with international markets | 2025-2027 | Medium |
| Flexible odd lot trading | Wider access for small investors | Currently implementing | High |
| Complete elimination of lot concept | Trading single shares like in developed markets | 2027-2030 | Very high |
Impact of blockchain technology on stock trading
A noteworthy but less discussed trend is the potential application of blockchain technology to Vietnam's stock market. This technology could bring "tokenization" capabilities - dividing stocks into smaller parts, allowing investment with extremely small amounts of money.
"Tokenization could be a breakthrough approach, allowing investors to buy just 0.1 or even 0.01 shares," according to Engineer Le Minh Hoang, blockchain expert at Pocket Option. "This would completely eliminate the minimum capital barrier and change how we answer the question about how many minimum shares to buy."
However, this view remains controversial. Some traditional experts argue that excessive fragmentation of shares could create chaos and be difficult to control in the market. This shows that, although the trend is clear, the path to modernizing Vietnam's stock market still faces many challenges.
Conclusion
The regulation on "how many minimum shares to buy on HOSE exchange" is foundational knowledge that every investor needs to master when participating in Vietnam's stock market. Although the standard trading lot is currently 100 shares, the emergence of odd lot trading from 1-99 shares has opened a new door for small capital investors.
Vietnam's stock market is in a strong development phase, with a trend of becoming increasingly accessible and flexible. Regulations on trading lots, settlement times, and matching mechanisms are gradually being improved to align with international standards.
Pocket Option is proud to be a partner accompanying Vietnamese investors in their journey to explore and conquer the stock market. We not only provide knowledge and tools but also bring deep insights into market trends, helping you make informed investment decisions.
Whether you start with a standard lot of 100 shares or just a few odd lot shares, the most important thing is not the initial quantity, but the long-term strategy and investment discipline you build. Remember that even the greatest investors all started with small first steps.