"The main reason for the new trend is the convenience that online trading brings to investors, saving time and allowing for fast trading," Khanh said.

The system is more foolproof, as well, allowing orders to be translated to the stock exchanges central system with errors, Le Hai Tra, deputy director of the HCM City Stock Exchange.

"The securities firms themselves are trying to complete the technological infrastructure by making deals with leading IT and solution nationally and regionally. The attempt is clearly good both for the firms and for the future development of the market," Tra said.

An Binh Securities joins Net

Under a deal inked yesterday, Malaysia’s Excel Force MSC Berhad will provide core securities solution to An Binh Securities Co that will allow clients to manage investment portfolios by internet or mobile phone.

"Once the HCM City Stock Exchange decided to apply remote trading, the technology development is essential for securities companies," said An Binh Securities CEO Nguyen Hoai Anh.

Anh also noted the harsh competition among stock brokerages.

"And in my opinion," he said, "the advantage in technology will help us pass our competition."

The deal with Excel Force would also help the firm access international financial markets, as well to list shares on world stock exchanges in the future, said Excel Force managing director Jeff K C Wang.