Master the stock trading hours 2025: A comprehensive guide for new investors

Why is it important to understand stock market trading hours?

If you’re looking to enter the world of stock trading, the first question you need to answer is: When does the market operate? The market isn’t open for trading all the time.

Indices like S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq in the US are constantly hitting new highs, while the Vietnamese stock market also witnesses lively trading sessions with liquidity reaching the billion-dollar threshold. However, each market has its own rules regarding stock market opening hours.

What is regulated within stock trading hours?

When researching stock trading hours, you need to understand the following information:

Daily and weekly operating hours

Stock markets do not operate 24/7. Most are open from Monday to Friday, and closed on weekends. During the day, each market has its own specific trading hours.

Official trading sessions

Some markets have lunch breaks (like Vietnam, which closes from 11:30 to 13:00), while others operate continuously throughout the day (like NYSE). Some markets only allow trading during official hours, while others extend trading before and after the main session.

Optimal order placement times

It’s not always suitable to place orders at any time. Experienced investors often take advantage of the first 15-60 minutes after opening, when price trends are strongest. The middle of the session tends to be more stable, suitable for beginners. Before the stock market opens, it’s important to update macroeconomic news, interest rates, inflation, economic event calendars, and analysis from experts.

Holiday schedules

Besides weekends, markets also close on public holidays. Different countries have different holidays: Vietnam has New Year and Lunar New Year, the US observes Christmas, Independence Day, etc.

US stock trading hours according to Vietnam time zone

The US stock market consists of two main exchanges: NYSE and Nasdaq. Here is the detailed trading schedule:

NYSE - New York Stock Exchange Trading Session

Nasdaq - Nasdaq Trading Session

Both exchanges operate continuously without lunch breaks. However, the hours for pre- and post-main sessions depend on each broker’s regulations.

Important note: According to Vietnamese law, individual investors are not allowed to directly own US stocks. They usually access the market through derivative contracts (CFD) or other permitted investment tools.

US stock market holiday schedule

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Washington’s Birthday
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day (7/4)
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Juneteenth

Stock trading hours on Vietnam’s three main exchanges (HOSE, HNX, Upcom)

Vietnam’s stock market includes three main exchanges: HOSE (Saigon), HNX (Hanoi), Upcom. Generally, the trading hours are similar:

• Open: 9:00 (starting from 8:45)
• Close: 14:45 (ending at 15:00)
• Lunch break: 11:30 – 13:00
• Operating days: Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays according to the Labor Law

However, details about order types and trading methods differ between exchanges.

HOSE - Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange

Negotiated bond trading: 9:00 – 15:00 (excluding lunch break)

HNX - Hanoi Stock Exchange

Negotiated trading: 9:00 – 11:30 and 13:00 – 15:00

Upcom - Stock and Bond Trading Platform

Derivatives trading: Opens 15 minutes earlier (8:45), but closes and has lunch breaks similar to the underlying securities. Supports both periodic and continuous matching.

Optimal trading strategies by time slots

In the US market

If you are an active investor:

• Focus on the first 2 hours after opening or the last hour before closing
• These are the most volatile times, especially the first 15 minutes
• Day trading should leverage before 11:30 (US time), as volatility tends to decrease afterward

Annual cycle:

• Late December often features the “Santa Claus Rally” when the market is lively
• Economic announcement events also cause significant fluctuations

In Vietnam market

Experienced investors:

• Focus on peak hours: 9:00 – 10:00 and 13:30 – 14:30
• These are when trading volume is highest

No need to trade all day:

• 2-3 hours daily are enough to catch opportunities
• Avoid trading when market energy is low

Annual cycle:

• Around Lunar New Year, when investors receive bonuses and seek new investment opportunities

Working hours of Vietnamese securities companies

VNDirect

• Morning: 8:00 – 11:45
• Afternoon: 12:45 – 17:00
• Lunch break: 11:45 – 12:45
• From 1/3/2021, open additional Saturday morning sessions

VPS

Fund transfers: 00:00 – 16:30 and 20:30 – 24:00 (working days), 00:00 – 24:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays)

Pre-sale funds: 7:30 – 16:30 (working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, holidays)

Stock transfer: 7:30 – 16:30 (working days)

After-hours stock orders: 17:00 – 6:30 (working days), 00:00 – 24:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays)

Derivatives orders: 8:05 – 14:45 (working days)

Margin withdrawal/deposit: 8:00 – 16:30 (working days)

SSI

• Morning: 8:00 – 12:00
• Afternoon: 13:00 – 17:00
• Lunch break: 12:00 – 13:00
• Customer service at counters stops at 16:30
• Online services: 24/7

Vietnam stock market holiday schedule 2024-2025

• New Year’s Day (1/1)
• Lunar New Year
• Hung Kings’ Commemoration (10/3 Lunar Calendar)
• April 30th
• May 1st
• National Day 2/9

Note 2024: Trading halts on 1/1/2024, resumes normally from 2/1/2024. T+2 settlement cycle transactions before 1/1 will be settled on 2-3/1/2024.

Summary table of main global stock exchange opening hours

Conclusion

Understanding stock market opening hours in each market is the first step to building an effective trading strategy. From Vietnam to the US, each has its own rules, and mastering them will help you:

• Choose trading times that suit your lifestyle and skills
• Capture opportunities during major volatility
• Avoid trading during low liquidity periods
• Plan for long-term financial growth

Stay updated with economic calendars, market news, and always prepare before market opens to maximize every trading opportunity.