- Prepare a passport (valid for at least 6 months) or chip-based ID card
- Prepare bank statements for the last 3 months (with minimum balance twice the intended investment amount)
- Open a foreign exchange account at a major bank (Vietcombank, BIDV, Techcombank preferred)
- Complete identity verification process (take a selfie holding your ID card and a paper with the current date)
- Research international tax regulations (especially W-8BEN form for US markets)
Pocket Option: Buying Foreign Stocks
With a 35% growth in the number of Vietnamese investors participating in international markets over the past 3 years, opportunities to access leading global companies such as Apple, Tesla, or Samsung are wide open. This article provides detailed guidance from A to Z on how to buy foreign stocks, helping you build a diverse investment portfolio with potential returns superior to the domestic market.
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Overview of International Stock Investment for Vietnamese Investors
In 2025, buying foreign stocks has become a dominant trend in Vietnam, with 52% growth compared to the previous year. Vietnamese investors are not only seeking portfolio diversification opportunities but also want access to technology "giants" like Apple, Microsoft, or Tesla - names absent from HOSE and HNX. International investment is now considered an effective "insurance" against domestic market fluctuations.
| Benefits of buying foreign stocks | Challenges to overcome |
|---|---|
| Portfolio diversification (30% risk reduction according to Morgan Stanley research) | Language barriers and difficulties accessing financial reports in English |
| Access to 15,000+ technology and innovation companies (compared to ~400 companies on HOSE) | Time zone differences (NYSE opens from 9:30 PM - 4:00 AM Vietnam time) |
| Exchange rate risk prevention when VND depreciates 3-4%/year against USD | Transaction costs of 0.1-0.7% and international taxes from 0-30% depending on the market |
| Opportunity to invest in AI, Metaverse, Renewable Energy trends from early stages | Different regulatory requirements and complex tax reporting requirements |
The Q1/2025 report from the State Securities Commission confirms: the number of Vietnamese investors participating in international securities markets has increased by 35% over the past 3 years, reaching 175,000 active accounts. This figure confirms the growing attraction of international stock buying methods for the Vietnamese investment community.
Methods for Vietnamese to Buy Foreign Stocks
Currently, Vietnamese investors have 4 main methods to access international stock markets, each suitable for different capital levels and objectives. Let's compare in detail to choose the most appropriate method for your conditions.
Opening an Account Directly with International Brokerage Firms
This is the most popular method that provides the highest level of autonomy when buying foreign stocks. According to a survey by the Vietnam Securities Investors Association (VASI), 78% of Vietnamese international investors have chosen this method. The online registration process usually takes 2-5 days, including identity verification (eKYC) and source of funds verification according to international anti-money laundering regulations.
| International Broker | Trading Fees (2025) | Minimum Amount | Markets Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interactive Brokers | 0.08-0.35% (min $1) | $2,000 | 135+ markets, 90+ exchanges |
| Charles Schwab | $0 (US stocks), 0.4% (other markets) | $25,000 | 12 major markets (US, EU, Asia) |
| Saxo Markets | 0.12-0.25% (min $3) | $2,000 | 60+ markets, Vietnamese support |
| Pocket Option | 0.08-0.15% (no minimum fee) | $500 | 50+ markets, Vietnamese interface |
Pocket Option has gained a large market share in Vietnam thanks to the most competitive fees in the market and a starting investment amount of only $500. According to Q1/2025 data, this platform recorded 28,500 active Vietnamese investors, an increase of 137% compared to the same period last year. The biggest advantage is the fully Vietnamese interface, 24/7 support in Vietnamese via chat, email, and hotline.
Through Domestic Securities Companies
For investors who are not confident about foreign languages or want direct consultation, many Vietnamese securities companies have developed foreign stock investment services through international partners. The disadvantage is costs that are 25-40% higher than direct trading.
| Vietnamese Securities Company | International Partner | Trading Fees (2025) | Markets Supported |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSI | Interactive Brokers | 0.2-0.5% (min 10$) | US, HK, Singapore, Japan |
| VNDirect | Saxo Bank | 0.25-0.6% (min 12$) | US, HK, Japan, Korea, Singapore, EU |
| VCSC | KGI Securities | 0.28-0.45% (min 15$) | US, Hong Kong, Thailand |
Nguyen Van A, a 38-year-old investor in Hanoi shares: "I started with VNDirect but after 6 months switched to Pocket Option because I saved 35% in transaction fees. With a $50,000 portfolio, I save about $500 in fees each year, enough to buy another share of Apple."
Process for Buying Foreign Stocks from Vietnam
The process of becoming an international investor requires careful preparation. From the experience of over 1,000 successful Vietnamese investors, we summarize a simple but effective 5-step process.
Account verification time comparison: Interactive Brokers (2-3 days), Charles Schwab (5-7 days), Saxo Markets (3-4 days). When using Pocket Option, this process usually takes only 1 business day thanks to the automated eKYC system and 24/7 Vietnamese support team. According to statistics, 92% of applications from Vietnam are approved within 24 hours.
International Money Transfer and Related Issues
Transferring money abroad to buy foreign stocks is the most important step and also causes the most confusion for Vietnamese investors. A proper money transfer plan will help you save up to 3-5% of the total investment amount.
| Transfer Method | Processing Time | Transfer Fee (2025) | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWIFT Transfer (via Vietcombank) | 1-3 days | 0.2% + $10 (max $300) | No limit, purpose declaration required |
| Wise (TransferWise) | 1-2 days | 0.5-0.7% (no hidden fees) | $1,000,000/year |
| International Visa/Mastercard | Instant | 2.5-3.5% + currency conversion fee | Card limit (usually $5,000-20,000) |
| Skrill/Neteller Wallet + Ngan Luong | 2-24 hours | 1.5-2.8% total | $30,000/month after verification |
Circular 15/2023/TT-NHNN of the State Bank of Vietnam (effective from August 15, 2023) allows individuals to transfer money abroad for investment with a limit of $25,000/year without proving purpose. For larger amounts, purpose declaration and provision of the account opening contract with the securities company are required.
Pocket Option provides 15 deposit methods specifically for Vietnamese customers, including direct support for MoMo, ZaloPay, VNPay, and domestic bank transfers through intermediary partners, helping to reduce fees to only 0.8-1.2%. This is why Vietnamese customers typically save 2-3% in fees compared to other platforms.
International Stock Market Analysis for Vietnamese Investors
To succeed with international stock investment methods, Vietnamese investors need to develop both macro and micro analysis capabilities. Apply the "3M Rule": Market (overall) → Market sector (industry) → Market asset (specific stock).
Promising Markets for Vietnamese Investors
Instead of spreading too thin, Vietnamese investors should focus on 4-5 markets that are highly compatible with time zones, investment culture, and information accessibility. Below is a detailed analysis based on 5-year performance data and compatibility.
| Market | Advantages | Risks | Notable Sectors (2024-2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US (NYSE, NASDAQ) | Extremely high liquidity (>$200 billion/day), transparent data, T+2 settlement | High valuation (average P/E 22), strong volatility according to Fed | Semiconductors (NVDA, AMD), AI (MSFT, GOOG), Clean Energy (ENPH) |
| Hong Kong (HKEX) | Chinese stocks with low valuations, similar time zone to Vietnam | US-China geopolitical tensions, tightening regulations | E-commerce (JD, BABA), EV (BYD, NIO), Gaming (Tencent) |
| Singapore (SGX) | Safe investment environment, high dividends 4-6%, 0% tax | Low liquidity (SGD 1.2 billion/day), slow growth | Banking (DBS, OCBC), REITs (Mapletree, CapitaLand) |
| Japan (TSE) | Attractive valuation (P/E 14), corporate governance reforms | Yen volatility, low GDP growth | Robotics (Fanuc), Automotive (Toyota, Honda), Gaming (Nintendo) |
According to Q1/2025 data from Pocket Option, 62% of Vietnamese investors focus on the US market (especially technology stocks), 22% choose Hong Kong to access the Chinese market, 9% invest in Singapore (mainly REIT funds), and the remaining 7% allocate to Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
Effective Foreign Stock Investment Strategies
Vietnamese investors need strategies suitable for specific conditions: time zone differences, limited market monitoring time, and language barriers. Below are 5 strategies proven effective for Vietnamese people when buying international stocks.
- Index ETF Investment (VTI, VOO, QQQ): Only needs 2-3 hours/month to manage, suitable for busy people
- Dividend Aristocrats Investment (KO, JNJ, PG): Passive income 3-5%/year + growth 5-7%/year
- Selective Growth Investment: Focus on 5-7 stocks in an industry you understand (e.g., META, GOOG if you work in marketing)
- Value Investment with low P/E and strong cash flow (BRK.B, JPM): Warren Buffett's method
- Long-term Thematic Investment (AI, clean energy, aging population): 10-20 year trends
The latest research by Morgan Stanley (Q4/2024) confirms: Asian investors achieve the best performance with a ratio of 50% index ETFs + 30% growth stocks + 20% dividend stocks. This "Investment Sandwich" model has helped investors outperform the S&P500 by 1.5%/year in the past 5 years with 20% lower volatility.
| Strategy | Actual Returns 2020-2024 | Risk Level | Monitoring Time | Optimal Starting Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index ETFs | 11.2%/year (VOO), 15.7%/year (QQQ) | Medium (Sharpe 0.75) | 2-3 hours/month | $1,000-3,000 |
| Dividend Stocks | 8.5%/year (dividend + price increase) | Low (Sharpe 0.85) | 4-6 hours/quarter | $5,000-10,000 |
| Growth Stocks | 18.3%/year (high volatility) | High (Sharpe 0.65) | 2-4 hours/week | $3,000-8,000 |
| Value Stocks | 12.5%/year (stable) | Medium (Sharpe 0.78) | 1-2 hours/week | $3,000-7,000 |
Pocket Option provides 12 sample investment portfolios updated quarterly according to each strategy, helping Vietnamese investors easily start without too much research. In particular, the "Portfolio Copy" feature allows exact copying of successful investors' portfolios for a fee of only 0.05%/transaction.
Risk Management in International Stock Investment
International investment faces many specific risks that Vietnamese investors often overlook. Experience from the 2022 cryptocurrency crisis and 2020 market volatility shows that risk management determines 80% of success when buying foreign stocks.
| Risk Type | Specific Preventive Measures |
|---|---|
| Market Risk | Allocate according to the 5-10-20 rule (maximum 5% in 1 stock, 10% in 1 industry, 20% in 1 country), always keep 10-15% cash |
| Exchange Rate Risk | Buy USD in batches (Dollar-cost averaging), consider investing 10-15% in gold stocks (GLD, GOLD) as portfolio "anchors" |
| Geopolitical Risk | Allocate maximum 40% to US, 30% Asia, 20% Europe, 10% emerging markets, avoid countries with conflicts |
| Liquidity Risk | Only invest in stocks with trading volume >$5 million/day, market cap >$1 billion, completely avoid penny stocks |
| Legal Risk | Use professional tax filing services (Deloitte, EY), store transaction reports for 5 years, fully declare income |
The capital management principle recommended for new Vietnamese investors is 25-5-1: no more than 25% of total assets in international securities, no more than 5% in one stock, not trading more than 1% of account/day. This rule has helped 72% of new investors avoid serious mistakes in the first 2 years.
Pocket Option has developed the proprietary "Risk Guardian" tool that analyzes the entire portfolio to warn of concentration risks, high correlations, and excessive volatility. The system automatically sends alerts when the portfolio deviates from the defined strategy, helping investors to adjust in time before major losses occur.
Tax and Legal Aspects when Investing Internationally from Vietnam
Understanding and complying with tax regulations is the biggest challenge for Vietnamese investors when investing in foreign stocks. VASI research shows that 67% of individual investors are under-reporting or inaccurately declaring income from foreign investments, posing risks of heavy penalties.
- Income from foreign dividends: Declare using form 02/TNCN, 5% tax rate in Vietnam
- Income from price differences: Declare using form 02/TNCN, 0.1% tax rate on transaction value
- Apply double taxation avoidance agreements: Submit form 01/HTQT to request deduction of taxes paid abroad
- Store transaction reports, statements, proof of foreign tax payments for at least 5 years
- Declare foreign accounts to the State Bank of Vietnam according to Circular 15/2023/TT-NHNN
| Country | Capital Gains Tax | Dividend Tax for Vietnamese | Agreement with Vietnam |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | 0% (if no EIN/SSN) | 30% (reduced to 15% with W-8BEN form) | Yes (DTA signed 2015, effective from 2016) |
| Hong Kong | 0% | 0% | No (but not needed as no tax is collected) |
| Singapore | 0% | 0% | Yes (DTA signed 1994, updated 2022) |
| Japan | 0% (for non-resident foreign investors) | 15.315% (reduced from 20.42% thanks to agreement) | Yes (DTA signed 1995, updated 2017) |
From a tax perspective, Hong Kong and Singapore are "havens" for Vietnamese investors with completely tax-free policies. For the US market, submitting the W-8BEN form (valid for 3 years) helps reduce dividend tax from 30% to 15%, saving significantly for dividend investment strategies.
Pocket Option is one of the few platforms providing "Tax Assistant" - a tool that automatically compiles tax data by country, creating standard reports for tax declarations in Vietnam. This service is free for customers with balances over $10,000 and charges $49/year for other accounts, helping save 75% of costs compared to hiring accounting services.
Conclusion: The Future of International Investment for Vietnamese
2025 marks a turning point with the number of Vietnamese investors participating in buying foreign stocks exceeding 200,000 people. The combination of asset diversification needs, desire to access advanced technologies, and increasingly user-friendly trading platforms has created an international investment "fever" in Vietnam.
VASI forecasts indicate 3 main trends in the next 5 years: (1) The proportion of foreign investment in Vietnamese portfolios will increase from 12% to 30%; (2) Smart ETFs and thematic portfolios will dominate instead of individual stocks; (3) AI technology will reshape how Vietnamese investors approach international markets.
To succeed in the global investment era, Vietnamese investors need to develop systems thinking, iron discipline, and multidimensional analysis capabilities. Pocket Option is committed to pioneering not only advanced trading platforms but also building a knowledgeable and confident Vietnamese investment community on the international stage.
Start your international investment journey today with a clear strategy and reliable partner. Remember that in the age of global connectivity, your assets should not be limited by national borders.
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