The domestic gold price on September 16 climbed to a record high of 22.40 million VND (1,255 USD) per tael (1.2 ounces) following an uptrend in global gold prices.

On September 16, most gold shops in HCM City raised their price by 380,000 VND (21.3 USD) over the September 15 price to 22.34 – 22.39 million VND per tael.

The global gold price on September 16 reached an 18-month high at 1,017 USD an ounce on speculation that a global economic recovery would stoke inflation.

The weakening of the greenback on the world market has also contributed to the gold price hike, analysts have said.

Gold trading companies said most people have shied away from buying, expecting a fall in price, while others have expected the price to increase and have refused to sell.

With soaring gold prices, the number of transactions on gold trading floors increased dramatically compared to last week as investors sold to make a profit, while others, who expected a fall in price, had to buy gold to cut losses, said a gold trading floor director./.