- Participate and vote at Annual General Meetings
- Receive dividends when the company distributes profits
- Have priority to buy new shares when the company increases capital
- Access transparent information about business operations
Are you hesitating between investing in stocks or bonds? Many Vietnamese investors are still confused when distinguishing between stocks and bonds. This article will help you understand the nature, characteristics, and differences between these two popular investment instruments, thereby making effective investment decisions that align with your financial goals and personal risk appetite.
Pocket Option: Distinguishing stocks and bonds in the Vietnamese financial market
Are you hesitating between investing in stocks or bonds? Many Vietnamese investors are still confused when distinguishing between stocks and bonds. This article will help you understand the nature, characteristics, and differences between these two popular investment instruments, thereby making effective investment decisions that align with your financial goals and personal risk appetite.
What are stocks and bonds: Basic definitions in the Vietnamese context
Stocks are securities that confirm your ownership of a portion of a company’s assets and profits. When you buy stocks, you become a shareholder, holding partial ownership of the business. In Vietnam, stocks are mainly traded on HOSE and HNX.
Bonds are debt instruments issued by governments, organizations, or businesses to raise capital. When you buy bonds, you are lending money to the issuer and will receive back the principal along with the promised interest. Vietnamese government bonds typically have interest rates of 4-5%, which are safer compared to corporate bonds with rates of 8-12% but carry higher risks.
Distinguishing stocks and bonds based on ownership rights and income
The most fundamental difference? Ownership rights. With stocks, you are a partial owner of the company, with voting rights and dividend entitlements. With bonds, you are just a creditor, with no management rights but guaranteed to receive periodic interest regardless of business conditions.
Income from stocks comes from two sources: dividends (1-2% for Vietnamese bank stocks like VCB, TCB) and profits from price appreciation. Bonds provide stable income from interest rates – an extremely important point for safety-oriented investors.
Rights and obligations of shareholders and bondholders in the Vietnamese market
Shareholders have the right to:
Bondholders have the right to:
- Receive interest on schedule as committed by the issuing organization
- Get full repayment of principal when the bond matures
- Request liquidation of collateral assets (if any) when the issuer cannot pay debts
- Have priority payment over shareholders in case of business bankruptcy
How stocks and bonds differ in terms of risk level and profit potential
Do you want to invest safely or accept risks for higher profit opportunities? How do stocks and bonds differ in this aspect? Vietnamese market data shows:
| Investment tool | Average annual return | Price volatility | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| VN-Index | 8-12% | 15-20% | High |
| Blue-chip stocks | 10-15% | 12-18% | High |
| Midcap stocks | 12-20% | 18-25% | Very high |
| Government bonds | 4-5% | 1-2% | Low |
| Corporate bonds | 8-12% | 3-5% | Medium – High |
Understanding what stocks and bonds are helps you accurately assess the risk-reward balance. Contrary to popular belief, some corporate bonds can be riskier than blue-chip stocks, as demonstrated in the 2022-2023 Vietnamese bond crisis.
Price fluctuations of stocks and bonds in the Vietnamese market
In Vietnam, stock prices fluctuate strongly due to:
- Quarterly/annual business results of companies
- Macroeconomic developments (GDP, CPI, exchange rates)
- Foreign capital flows (foreign investors often determine market trends)
- Crowd psychology of individual investors (accounting for 80-85% of transactions in Vietnam’s stock market)
Bond prices are mainly influenced by:
- Changes in the State Bank of Vietnam’s operating interest rates
- Credit ratings of the issuing organization
- Maturity time (long-term bonds are more sensitive to interest rates)
- Market liquidity (significantly improved since 2023 after reforms)
Asset allocation strategies between stocks and bonds suitable for Vietnamese investors
Distinguishing between stocks and bonds is not just theoretical knowledge but needs to be applied to practical investing. Pocket Option has researched and proposed appropriate allocation ratios for Vietnamese investors according to age:
| Age | Stock ratio | Bond ratio | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-30 | 80-90% | 10-20% | Still have time to recover after fluctuations, prioritize growth |
| 30-40 | 70-80% | 20-30% | Balance between growth and preservation, in the asset accumulation phase |
| 40-50 | 50-60% | 40-50% | Starting to shift priority to capital preservation |
| 50-60 | 30-40% | 60-70% | Reduce risk, focus on stable passive income |
| Over 60 | 20-30% | 70-80% | Capital preservation is the top priority, preparing for retirement |
Note: The above table is for reference only. Adjust the ratio according to your risk appetite and personal financial goals. Pocket Option provides free risk profile assessment tools to help you determine the optimal allocation ratio.
What are stocks and bonds in portfolio diversification strategy
Have you heard the saying “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”? Diversification is a powerful weapon to minimize risk. Understanding what stocks and bonds are will help you build a balanced investment portfolio. Below is a popular diversified portfolio model in Vietnam:
| Asset type | Suggested weight | Role in portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| Blue-chip stocks | 30-40% | Stable growth, regular dividends (VNM, VCB, FPT) |
| Potential midcap stocks | 10-20% | High growth, leverage for portfolio |
| Government bonds | 20-30% | Safety, reduced volatility, stable income |
| Corporate bonds | 10-15% | Higher fixed income (carefully selected) |
| Bank deposits | 5-10% | Immediate liquidity, dealing with sudden investment opportunities |
| Gold/Foreign currency | 5-10% | Hedge against inflation and currency fluctuation risks |
The Pocket Option platform helps you access diverse investment instruments through a single account, from Vietnamese stocks to bonds and global markets, helping to build an effective diversified portfolio and save management time.
The impact of interest rates and inflation on stocks and bonds in Vietnam
Interest rates and inflation are two “time bombs” that directly affect investment performance. When distinguishing between stocks and bonds, you need to understand this “paradoxical” relationship:
| Scenario | Impact on bonds | Impact on stocks |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rates increase | Bond prices fall sharply, especially long-term bonds | Usually decline in price due to increased capital costs and money flowing to savings |
| Interest rates decrease | Bond prices increase, attractive profit-taking opportunities | Usually increase in price due to decreased capital costs and money flowing into risk channels |
Impact of inflation: High inflation is the “enemy” of bonds, reducing the real value of fixed payments. Surprisingly, some stocks in essential goods sectors (F&B, FMCG) typically “outpace inflation” in the long run in Vietnam. This contradicts the common notion that stocks always lose to inflation during crisis periods.
Stock and bond trading channels in Vietnam
Understanding what stocks and bonds are is not enough – you need to know how to access them. Here are popular trading channels in Vietnam:
Stock trading channels:
- Licensed securities companies (SSI, VND, VPS, HSC) – require opening a securities account
- Mobile applications of securities companies – convenient trading anytime, anywhere
- Pocket Option platform – provides CFDs based on stocks and indices, without going through traditional stock markets
Bond trading channels:
- Commercial banks (government bonds) – safe but low interest rates
- Securities companies (both government and corporate bonds) – more options
- Direct purchase from issuing companies – attractive interest rates but higher risk
- HNX bond exchange – good liquidity but requires in-depth knowledge
Development of Vietnam’s stock and bond markets in an international context
Vietnam’s securities market is developing strongly:
- Market capitalization increased from 40% of GDP (2017) to nearly 100% of GDP (2024)
- Number of securities accounts exceeded 7 million in 2024 (nearly 7% of population)
- Corporate bond market size reached 15% of GDP (2023), tripling in 5 years
Comparison with regional markets – growth opportunities are still significant:
| Country | Market capitalization (%GDP) | Number of listed companies | Percentage of population with securities accounts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | ~100% | ~1,700 | ~7% |
| Thailand | ~110% | ~800 | ~8% |
| Malaysia | ~130% | ~900 | ~12% |
| Singapore | ~200% | ~700 | ~30% |
Technology applications and new trends in stock and bond investments in Vietnam
Technology is revolutionizing how Vietnamese people approach financial markets:
- Mobile applications and online platforms:
- Robo-advisors and AI tools:
- Blockchain and tokenization:
Pocket Option pioneers the application of these technologies into its trading platform, helping Vietnamese investors access modern financial tools equivalent to developed markets like the US or Europe.
Investment strategies combining stocks and bonds for different financial goals
What is your financial goal? Depending on the answer, how you distinguish between stocks and bonds will lead to different investment strategies:
| Goal | Stock ratio | Bond ratio | Specific strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term growth (10+ years) | 70-80% | 20-30% | Choose growth stocks (VHM, MWG, FPT), long-term government bonds as a safety foundation |
| Stable income | 30-40% | 60-70% | High dividend stocks (VNM, MSN), reputable corporate bonds (Vingroup, Masan) |
| Capital preservation | 10-20% | 80-90% | Focus on government bonds, defensive stocks in essential consumer goods sectors |
| Short-term goals (1-3 years) | 20-30% | 70-80% | Short-term bonds (1-3 years), blue-chip stocks with low valuations (P/E < 10) |
Conclusion
Distinguishing between stocks and bonds is not just theoretical knowledge but the foundation that determines investment success. The Vietnamese market in 2024-2025 is opening up many attractive investment opportunities for both these instruments, especially when interest rates are on a downward trend and foreign capital is returning strongly.
Stocks offer great profit potential but come with high risk, while bonds provide stable income but lower growth. The wise strategy is to combine both in a ratio suitable for personal goals.
Pocket Option provides a comprehensive investment platform for Vietnamese people, with stock trading tools, bonds and derivatives with low costs, a friendly Vietnamese interface and 24/7 support team. Don’t hesitate – start your smart investment journey today with Pocket Option!
FAQ
Should I invest in stocks or bonds when starting out?
For new investors in Vietnam, you should start with 60-70% government bonds or reputable corporate bonds (Vingroup, Masan) to limit risk. After 6-12 months of learning and accumulating experience, you can gradually increase the proportion of blue-chip stocks like VCB, FPT in your portfolio. Remember: a safe start is more important than quick profits.
How to buy government bonds in Vietnam?
There are 3 simple ways to buy government bonds in Vietnam: (1) Through agent commercial banks (BIDV, Vietcombank, Agribank) with denominations from 100,000 VND; (2) Through securities companies if you already have an account; (3) Participate in direct auctions on HNX if investing large amounts. Method 1 is most suitable for beginners because the process is simple, only requiring ID card and bank account number.
Which stocks are suitable for less risk-taking investors?
Cautious investors should choose blue-chip stocks in defensive sectors such as: (1) Essential consumer goods (VNM, MSN, MWG); (2) Top banks (VCB, TCB, ACB); (3) Major technology companies (FPT); (4) Leading real estate (VHM, NLG). These stocks have a stable business history, regular dividend payments, and less volatility even during difficult market periods.
When interest rates rise, should I invest in stocks or bonds?
When the State Bank of Vietnam raises interest rates, implement the "Keep short-term, avoid long-term" strategy: (1) Reduce the proportion of long-term bonds (>3 years) as prices will drop significantly; (2) Increase the proportion of short-term bonds (6-12 months) to take advantage of high interest rates when reinvesting; (3) In your stock portfolio, prioritize bank stocks (which will benefit from higher interest margins) and reduce real estate stocks (which are under pressure from increasing capital costs).
Can I invest in foreign stocks and bonds from Vietnam?
Absolutely! Vietnamese people are increasingly gaining easy access to international markets through: (1) Foreign ETFs listed on HOSE (FUEVFVND - tracking VN30, FUESSVFL - tracking S&P500); (2) International brokerage firms licensed to operate in Vietnam; (3) Platforms like Pocket Option providing CFD products based on global stocks and indices. With just a passport/ID card, you can open an account and trade stocks and bonds from the US, Europe to Asia in just a few minutes.