Actually, playing stocks in the US isn’t as difficult as many people think. I’d like to share a few things I learned when I first started investing in US securities from Vietnam.

First, why choose the US securities market? Simply because this market has more than 6,300 securities, making it the largest in the world. It brings together major names such as Apple, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. In addition, the returns in the US market are much higher than in Vietnam. Just look at the numbers to understand: the S&P 500 is up 39%, Nasdaq is up 64%, while the VNIndex is down 9%. Diversifying your portfolio with foreign securities also helps reduce risk when the domestic economy faces difficulties.

Now the question is how to play US stocks for foreign investors like us. In reality, to buy shares directly on NYSE or NASDAQ, you must have US citizenship. But don’t worry—there are two other options: ETFs and CFDs.

An ETF is an exchange-traded fund; it tracks a stock index. The advantage of an ETF is that it’s easy to diversify at low cost—you don’t need a deep understanding of each individual security, and it helps you avoid being manipulated in the market. Funds such as Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) are popular choices.

CFDs are different. You can invest in individual stocks like Apple, Tesla, and Amazon without owning them directly. Instead, you invest in the price difference. The strengths of CFDs are greater flexibility, high leverage, the ability to short-sell, and trading outside of regular hours. If you choose CFDs, you need to select a reputable trading platform.

Speaking of how to play stocks in the US, I also want to mention the key indices. The S&P 500 includes 500 top companies, accounting for 80% of the US market capitalization. The Dow Jones consists of the 30 largest companies and represents about a quarter of the market. Nasdaq focuses on technology and has many small-cap companies; the risk is higher, but the potential profits are also greater.

If you want to start, the first step is to choose a reputable broker. This is very important because it directly affects your results. Step two is to learn about the market carefully. Many exchanges offer demo accounts with virtual money so you can practice before putting in real money. Step three is to make a careful financial plan. If your capital is still limited, you can use leverage, but be careful because it’s a double-edged sword.

Once you’ve decided, you need to look for trading opportunities. Use analytical tools and follow the economic calendar. Then deposit margin into your account. Place buy orders when you expect the price to rise, or short-sell if you predict the price will fall. The key is to always monitor your positions, take profit in time, and cut losses promptly.

Playing stocks in the US also requires you to understand which securities are actually worth investing in. Among the top 10 most watched securities, there are Tesla, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Pfizer, AMD, and JPMorgan Chase. But remember that stock prices always fluctuate, and the information I share is for reference only.

If you’re a long-term investor, ETFs are a better fit. If you can tolerate high risk and want fast returns, CFDs are the choice. No matter which method you choose, do thorough research, select a reputable brokerage unit, and always manage risk carefully. Wishing you success on your investment journey!