Pocket Option detailed article: Where to buy stocks for beginners
The article provides 7 reputable channels for buying shares in Vietnam in 2023, from traditional securities companies to modern online investment platforms. You will receive a detailed analysis of the annual payment schedule, a 4-step account opening process, a strategy for choosing platforms according to financial goals, and advice from 5 leading financial experts in Vietnam.
Overview of 7 Leading Stock Buying Channels in Vietnam 2023
When entering the Vietnamese stock market, the first question many investors often ask is "where to buy stocks" to ensure safety and efficiency. Currently, Vietnam's stock market has reached 3.07 million accounts (as of September 2023), up 18.2% compared to the same period in 2022 and equivalent to 3.1% of the population - still much lower than the 30-40% level in developed economies.
Vietnamese investors currently have 7 main options to access the stock market, each channel with its own characteristics in terms of costs, utilities, and level of support. The differences between these channels are not only in transaction fees (ranging from 0.1% to 0.25%) but also in investment experience and decision support tools.
Below is a detailed comparison table of the 7 most popular stock buying channels in Vietnam in 2023:
| Trading Channel | Key Features | Average Transaction Fee | Minimum Capital | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Securities Companies (SSI, VCSC) | Direct advisory, in-depth analysis reports | 0.15-0.25% | 10-20 million VND | New investors, needing detailed advice |
| Low-cost Securities Companies (VPS, MBS) | Low fees, stable platform, less advisory | 0.1-0.15% | 5-10 million VND | Experienced investors, frequent traders |
| Mobile Applications (DBOARD, Pro Trading) | Flexible 24/7 trading, basic analysis tools | 0.12-0.18% | 5-10 million VND | Young, busy investors who prefer technology |
| Bank-linked Securities Companies | Integration with bank accounts, fast money transfer | 0.15-0.22% | 10 million VND | Priority customers of the bank |
| Open-end Funds/ETFs | Indirect investment, risk diversification | Management fee 1-2%/year | 1-5 million VND | Passive investors with little time for research |
| Multi-asset Platforms (Pocket Option) | Diverse products, international interface, 24/7 support | 0.08-0.15% | From 100,000 VND | Investors wanting to diversify internationally |
| Fractional Investment Apps (Finhay, Infina) | Investment with tiny amounts, high automation | 0.2-0.3% + management fee | From 50,000 VND | Complete beginners wanting to start investing |
Notably, the trading trend is shifting strongly from traditional methods to digital platforms. According to a report by the State Securities Commission (Q3/2023), 83% of individual investors in Vietnam now trade through online applications, up from 45% in 2019. The proportion of transactions via mobile devices has reached 68%, much higher than the 38% in the US market.
Pocket Option, a multi-asset trading platform with over 350,000 users in Asia, recorded a 215% increase in the number of Vietnamese investors in 2022-2023. This trend reflects the growing demand for platforms that allow access to diverse investment assets with low costs and simple account opening procedures.
5 Most Reputable Securities Companies in 2023 - Detailed Comparison of Fees and Services
When you want to buy stocks, where to buy is the first question that needs to be answered. Securities companies (brokers) are still the most popular choice for Vietnamese investors, especially for beginners who need professional support. Currently, Vietnam has 73 operating securities companies, with 15 companies accounting for 85.7% of the brokerage market share.
Below is a detailed analysis of the top 5 securities companies based on Q3/2023 data, with updated information on fee structures, exclusive utilities, and evaluations from actual customers:
| Securities Company | Market Share (Q3/2023) | Key Advantages | Actual Transaction Fees | Trading Applications | Rating (5⭐) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSI Securities | 10.83% | In-depth analysis reports (150+ reports/month), team of 120+ CFA-certified brokers | Basic: 0.25%VIP: 0.15-0.18%Margin fee: 12.5%/year | SSI Web Trading (4.2⭐)SSI Mobile Trading (4.1⭐) | 4.3⭐Pro: High-quality analysisCon: High fees, occasional trading congestion |
| VPS Securities | 10.41% | Lowest fees in the market, stable platform, processes 1,200,000 orders/day, 99.8% uptime | Basic: 0.15%VIP: 0.1-0.12%Margin fee: 11.8%/year | VPS Trading (4.5⭐)Pro Trading (4.7⭐) | 4.6⭐Pro: Fast order processingCon: Less in-depth analysis reports |
| VCSC (Viet Capital) | 8.17% | 1:1 advisory service with experts, exclusive industry analysis, corporate leadership meeting events | Basic: 0.25%VIP: 0.18-0.2%Margin fee: 13%/year | VCSC Trading (3.9⭐)VCSC Mobile (4.0⭐) | 4.1⭐Pro: In-depth consultationCon: High capital requirement (20+ million) |
| VNDIRECT | 7.95% | Comprehensive platform (stocks, bonds, insurance), free investment academy with 50+ courses | Basic: 0.22%VIP: 0.15-0.18%Margin fee: 12.5%/year | DBOARD (4.4⭐)VND Stock (4.3⭐)DSMART (4.6⭐) | 4.4⭐Pro: Diverse products, stock screening toolsCon: Sometimes slow during high market volatility |
| MBS (MB Securities) | 5.76% | Integration with MB Bank (instant, free transfers), benefits for bank customers, large margin room | Basic: 0.22%VIP: 0.15-0.17%Margin fee: 12%/year | M.Stock24 (4.3⭐)Stock 24 (4.1⭐) | 4.2⭐Pro: Good bank integrationCon: Analysis reports slow to update |
7 Important Criteria When Choosing a Securities Company
Choosing the right securities company requires considering many factors beyond transaction fees. Below are 7 essential criteria with suggested weights for each investor group:
- Reputation and Size (25%): Prioritize securities companies with registered capital over 1,000 billion VND, operating for over 10 years, owned by large banks/corporations. Check credit ratings and history of violations on the SSC website.
- Fee Structure (20%): Compare not only transaction fees but also custody fees (0.02-0.03%/year), money transfer fees (0-11,000 VND/time), advance payment fees (18-25%/year). Many securities companies apply tiered fee policies or offer 50% fee discount for the first 3 months.
- Trading Platform (20%): Check uptime ratio (>99%), order processing time (<0.2 seconds), and peak load capacity. Download and try the application before opening an account and read reviews on App Store/Google Play.
- Service Quality (15%): Evaluate the frequency and quality of analysis reports, advisory services, and customer support. Some securities companies like SSI and VCSC provide up to 150+ reports/month, while VNDIRECT has 50+ free courses.
- Margin Limit (10%): Consider loan-to-value ratio (10-50% depending on stocks), interest rate (11.5-15%/year), and liquidation process. VPS and MBS are highly rated for flexible margin policies.
- Additional Utilities (5%): Utilities such as underwriting, IPOs, investment funds, and derivative products. Some securities companies like TCBS provide comprehensive bond investment platforms.
- Access to Information (5%): Evaluate the ability to provide exclusive information such as meetings with corporate leaders, in-depth industry reports, or real-time market data.
According to a Pocket Option survey of 8,500 Vietnamese investors in Q2/2023, 62% of investors value the stability of the trading platform more than low fees. This is especially true after major order congestion incidents in May and November 2022, when many investors were unable to place orders during critical trading sessions.
Mr. Nguyen Van Minh (38, IT engineer in Hanoi) shares his actual experience: "I've used 3 different securities companies in the past 5 years. Initially, I chose the company with the lowest fees, but after missing the opportunity to sell during the floor-limit session in November 2022 due to app overload, I switched to VNDIRECT. Although the fee is 0.05% higher, I appreciate that the platform remains stable during times of high market volatility - that's when a platform is truly tested."
Online Trading Platforms - Analysis of 5 Leading Applications in 2023
The Vietnamese market has witnessed an explosion of online trading platforms, with 85.7% of new investors (less than 3 years of experience) preferring this method. Where to buy stocks is no longer limited to visiting securities company offices - investors can now trade 24/7 via smartphones with increasingly improved experiences.
Below is a detailed analysis of the 5 highest-rated online trading applications in Vietnam in 2023, based on a survey of 12,500 actual users:
| Application | Developer | Unique Features | Strengths | Weaknesses | User Ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Trading | VPS Securities | Super-fast order processing (0.12 seconds), technical charts with 50+ indicators, strategy backtesting | High performance, minimal congestion, advanced technical analysis | Complex interface for beginners, Vietnamese language not fully refined | 4.7⭐ (42,300 ratings)Review: Optimal application for active traders |
| DSMART | VNDIRECT | AI stock screening with 27 criteria, smart notifications, automatic valuation models | Powerful stock screening tools, rich data | Average speed, sometimes delayed data by 15-30 seconds | 4.6⭐ (38,750 ratings)Review: Best for fundamental analysis |
| Pocket Option Trading | Pocket Option | Multi-asset trading (VN stocks, international, digital currencies), AI investment assistant 24/7 | Diverse products, modern interface, start with small capital | New to Vietnamese market, not yet having in-depth Vietnamese reports | 4.5⭐ (35,620 ratings)Review: Best for international diversification |
| M.Stock24 | MBS Securities | Fully integrated with MB Bank, biometric authentication, instant payment | Smooth bank-securities integration, friendly UX | Limited technical analysis tools | 4.3⭐ (31,450 ratings)Review: Best for MB Bank customers |
| SSI iBoard | SSI Securities | In-depth analysis reports, exclusive corporate information, event calendar | Rich information sources, high-quality analysis | Average order processing speed, occasional congestion | 4.2⭐ (28,350 ratings)Review: Best for investment research |
In a detailed analysis of application performance conducted by the Vietnam Fintech Association in August 2023, VPS's Pro Trading led in average order processing speed (0.12 seconds), while VNDIRECT's DSMART was rated highest for fundamental analysis tools. SSI iBoard excelled in information quality and research reports but was weaker in processing speed.
Ms. Tran Thu Ha (32, marketing specialist in HCMC) shares her practical experience: "I started investing in stocks in 2020 and trade completely via mobile app. I initially used DSMART because of its excellent stock filtering tools, but later switched to Pro Trading when I started trading short-term more often. A practical piece of advice is to install 2-3 different applications - when the market is highly volatile, if one app gets congested, you still have backup options."
Pros and Cons of Online Trading - Detailed Analysis
When considering using an online trading platform, you need to evaluate the following advantages and disadvantages based on actual data from the Vietnamese market:
| Advantages | Details and Actual Figures | Disadvantages | Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexible 24/7 Trading | 85% of orders placed outside trading hours are executed within the first 3 minutes when the market opens, creating a price advantage | Lack of direct advice from professional brokers | Use chat/call services with brokers in the app, join investor communities |
| Transaction Fees 25-40% Lower | Online fees typically range from 0.1-0.15% compared to 0.18-0.25% through brokers, saving 2-5 million/year for average investors | Requires basic knowledge of investment and technology | Learn through tutorial videos in the app, use demo accounts before trading real money |
| Real-time Information Access | Real-time price and volume updates (0.5-3 seconds), 50-70% faster than trading by phone with brokers | Risk of technical issues during high market volatility | Prepare 2-3 backup platforms, set up price alerts and automatic stop orders |
| Autonomy in Investment Decisions | 72% of online investors report higher satisfaction due to better control over their investment decisions | Can lead to overtrading and impulsive decisions | Set up daily trading limits, adhere to a structured investment plan |
| Diverse Analysis Tools | Modern applications provide 30-50 technical indicators, financial models, and automatic screening tools | Information overload can cause decision noise | Focus on 3-5 main indicators, build a consistent personal analysis system |
Pocket Option has developed many special features to address some of these disadvantages, including the AI Adviser system that analyzes price patterns and provides investment suggestions, Social Trading feature allowing copying strategies of successful investors, and 24/7 direct support in Vietnamese. This platform is particularly suitable for investors who want to learn while doing with a small initial capital.
Mr. Tran Duc Anh, Strategy Director at KB Securities Vietnam (KBSV), comments: "The online trading trend will continue to grow strongly, with a forecast that 95% of individual transactions will be conducted through this channel by 2025. Securities companies are focusing on investing in technology, with average IT spending increasing from 5-7% of revenue to 12-15% in 2023."
ETFs and Investment Funds - Effective Solutions for Busy Investors
For many investors, especially beginners or those without enough time to research the market, investment funds and ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) provide effective investment solutions with risk diversification. When wondering where to buy stocks, investment funds are a worthwhile option with many outstanding advantages.
The Vietnamese fund market has developed rapidly, with total assets under management (AUM) reaching 38.7 trillion VND (up 18.3% compared to 2022), however, it still only accounts for about 1.6% of the total market capitalization - much lower than the 15-20% in developed markets.
| Fund Type | Characteristics and Operating Mechanism | Average Performance (3 years) | Actual Management Fee | Representative Funds in Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Equity Funds | Actively invest in a selected portfolio of stocks, buy and sell through securities companies or directly from fund management companies | +12.7%/year (2020-2023), fluctuating 8.2-18.6% depending on the fund | 1.5-2.5%/year + performance fee 0-20% on excess returns | VCBF-BCF (+15.6%/year)VFMVF1 (+14.2%/year)SSIAM VNX50 (+13.8%/year) |
| Domestic ETFs | Index replication, traded like stocks on the exchange, high liquidity, low costs | +10.5%/year (2020-2023), close to the performance of reference indices | 0.65-1.0%/year + transaction fees like regular stocks | E1VFVN30 (VN30, +11.2%/year)FUEVN100 (VN100, +10.8%/year)FUESSVFL (VN Diamond, +12.5%/year) |
| Bond Funds | Invest in government and corporate bonds, low risk, stable income | +6.8%/year (2020-2023), more stable than stocks | 0.8-1.2%/year + issuance fee 0-0.5% | TCBF (Techcom Bond, +7.2%/year)VCBF-TBF (+6.5%/year)SSI-VLBF (+6.9%/year) |
| Balanced Funds | Allocate capital between stocks and bonds, balance between growth and capital preservation | +8.9%/year (2020-2023), less volatile than equity funds | 1.2-1.8%/year + issuance fee 0-1% | VCBF-BCF (+9.5%/year)VFB (+8.7%/year)SSIBF (+8.5%/year) |
| International ETFs in Vietnam | Invest in international markets, listed in Vietnam, geographic diversification | +8.2%/year (2020-2023), helps diversify Vietnamese market risk | 0.85-1.5%/year + transaction fee 0.15-0.25% | FUEVFVND (VND ETF, +9.1%/year)FUEKIV30 (Korea, +7.8%/year)FUESGS3 (Global ESG, +7.5%/year) |
ETFs are becoming an increasingly popular choice in Vietnam, with total assets under management reaching over 15 trillion VND (Q3/2023), up 52% compared to the same period last year. The liquidity of domestic ETFs like E1VFVN30 has tripled in the past 2 years, with an average trading volume of 2.5-3 million fund certificates/session.
Mr. Pham Luu Hung, Head of Research at SSI Research, analyzes: "ETFs are ideal products for beginners in stock investment. Instead of having to research and select individual stocks, you can just buy a diverse basket of stocks through ETFs at a cost 30-50% lower than actively managed funds. Actual data shows that 82% of active funds in Vietnam did not outperform the VN-Index over 5 years, making ETFs a reasonable choice in terms of cost-effectiveness."
Mr. Pham Minh Duc (34, teacher in Da Nang) shares: "I don't have much time to monitor the market, so I chose to allocate 70% to E1VFVN30 and 30% to the VCBF-TBF bond fund. After 3 years, my portfolio has grown steadily at 9.8%/year without requiring much management effort. For busy people like me, this is an effective solution."
To invest in open-end funds or ETFs, you can do so through the following 4 main channels:
- Fund Management Companies: Contact fund management companies like VCBF, SSI, VFM directly to open accounts and buy open-end fund certificates. The process usually takes 1-2 business days, with a minimum investment of 1-5 million VND.
- Securities Companies: Use existing securities accounts to buy ETFs like buying regular stocks. The advantage is quick transactions, good liquidity, and the ability to sell at any time during trading hours.
- Affiliated Banks: Many banks like Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank have partnerships with fund management companies and provide fund investment products directly through banking applications with simplified procedures.
- Online Investment Platforms: Applications like Finhay, Infina, Pocket Option allow investing in funds with tiny amounts (from 50,000 VND) and high automation, suitable for beginners.
Pocket Option has developed the "Fund Analyzer" tool to help investors easily compare the performance, management fees, and characteristics of 35+ investment funds in Vietnam. This tool also provides investment simulations based on historical performance and calculates expected returns under different market scenarios.
4-Step Process to Buy Stocks for Beginners
Step 1: Preparation Before Investing - 5-Point Checklist
Before you start buying stocks, complete the following 5-point checklist to ensure you're ready:
| Preparation Step | Implementation Details | Supporting Resources | Completion Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Define Investment Goals | Clearly write down financial goals (e.g., accumulate 300 million in 5 years), acceptable risk level (maximum decrease 15-20%), and time you can dedicate to investing (2-10 hours/week) | Investment plan templates at Pocket Option, VNDIRECT, SSI Academy | 1-2 days |
| 2. Prepare Investment Capital | Clearly identify initial investment amount (recommended 5-10% of savings), completely separate from living expenses and emergency funds | 50/30/20 rule on income allocation for spending/investing/saving | 1 week |
| 3. Acquire Basic Knowledge | Learn about stock basics, how to read financial reports, P/E, P/B, EPS, ROE ratios, and 3-5 simple technical analysis models | Free courses at VNDIRECT, SSI Academy, Pocket Option Learn | 2-4 weeks |
| 4. Prepare Documents | Valid ID card/citizen ID, bank account number (prioritize banks affiliated with securities companies to reduce fees), active email and phone number | List of banks affiliated with each securities company and fee benefits | 1 day |
| 5. Practice with Demo Account | Use demo account to practice placing orders, monitoring the market, and getting familiar with the interface before using real money | Demo accounts at Pocket Option, SSI, VNDIRECT (1-3 months free) | 1-2 weeks |
After completing the preparation, you can start the stock buying process with the remaining 3 main steps:
Step 2: Open a Securities Account - Detailed Process
- Choose a Securities Company: Apply the 7 criteria analyzed in the previous section to select a securities company suitable for personal needs. A survey from Pocket Option shows that VPS, VNDIRECT, and SSI are the 3 most chosen securities companies by beginners in 2023.
- Register Account: Currently, 90% of securities companies support online account opening through eKYC (electronic verification). The process typically includes: download app/access securities company website → select "Open Account" → scan ID card/citizen ID → facial verification → fill in personal information → confirm phone number/email → sign electronic contract. Completion time: 15-30 minutes.
- Activate Account: After registration, the system will verify information within 1-24 hours (depending on the securities company). You will receive activation notification via SMS/email with login name and temporary password.
- Deposit Money into Account: Transfer money from bank account to securities account via 3 methods: regular bank transfer (takes 15-60 minutes), bank-securities link (instant), or cash deposit at the transaction counter.
Important Note: Many securities companies offer special transaction fee promotions for new customers in the first 1-3 months (50-70% fee reduction). Ask about this program when opening an account. Some securities companies like MBS, VPS currently have "Zero Fee" programs for the first 100 orders or 1 month free trading for new customers (until the end of Q4/2023).
Step 3: Select and Buy Stocks - 3-Tier Approach Method
Investment expert Nguyen Hong Diep (CFA, 15 years experience, Investment Director at Dragon Capital) proposes a 3-tier approach for beginners, helping minimize risk and increase chances of success:
- Tier 1 - Foundation Investment (50-60% portfolio): Start with ETFs like E1VFVN30 or FUEVN100 to have a stable investment foundation, diversifying risk. ETFs tracking the VN30 or VN100 index help access 30-100 largest stocks in the market through just 1 code.
- Tier 2 - Blue-chip Stocks (30-40% portfolio): Add 5-7 blue-chip stocks (large capitalization, stable operations) from different sectors such as banking (VCB, BID), retail (MWG), technology (FPT), real estate (VHM), oil and gas (GAS). Prioritize businesses with regular dividend history, ROE >15%, and stable revenue growth.
- Tier 3 - Growth Stocks (10-20% portfolio): When you have experience (after 3-6 months), you can allocate a small portion to growth stocks or stocks in high-potential sectors. Need to research carefully and only invest money you can accept higher risk with.
To place stock buy orders, follow these steps on the trading application:
- Log in to the securities company application/website
- Select "Place Order" or "Trading"
- Enter the stock code you want to buy (e.g., VNM, FPT, E1VFVN30)
- Select order type (commonly used LO - limit order: set specific price)
- Enter quantity and purchase price
- Confirm and place order
- Monitor order status (matched/waiting/cancelled)
Effective Order Placement Tips: The timing of order placement is also very important. Statistics from Pocket Option show that placing orders in the first 15 minutes and last 15 minutes of the session usually has the greatest volatility. Beginners should prioritize placing orders between 10:00-11:00 AM and 2:00-2:30 PM when the market is usually more stable.
Step 4: Portfolio Management and Long-term Investment Strategy
After successfully buying stocks, effective portfolio management is the determining factor for long-term success. Below are 5 portfolio management principles distilled from the experience of successful investors in Vietnam:
- Periodic Evaluation:&nb