Vietnam Is The Region's Largest Gold Market

Based on the data in the last paragraph (highlighted in bold) I wonder if Vietnamese citizens here in Vietnam have legal access to global trading sites, where gold "appears" to be so much cheaper?

I'm guessing that restrictive financial regulations here in Vietnam might not allow such transactions legally?

I'm throwing that out as a question for those more in the know about such matters.

I anticipate the answer might be that, even if it's possible to use those sites, Vietnamese people might prefer gold in hand over virtual gold online, similar to people who prefer cash in a mattress over cash deposited in a bank...?
~~~~~
Viet Nam Becomes Region's Largest Gold Market: WGC

By VNA / DA NANG Today

May 06, 2021

Viet Nam is the largest gold market in Southeast Asia, according to a recent study of the World Gold Council (WGC).

The WGC also announced the country among the top 10 markets in the world, saying consumer demand for gold in Vietnam reached 39.8 tonnes in 2020, higher than the demand of 37.6 tonnes in Indonesia and 9.4 tonnes in Singapore.

The study of 2,000 local investors in March last year also said gold is the top asset class for 68 percent of Vietnamese investors while the outlook for the precious metal was positive, adding 81 percent of people who bought gold considered buying more.

The average rate for buying more gold is 45 percent globally.

According to the WGC, demand for gold in Viet Nam is still very high as Vietnamese people believe gold helps fight inflation and currency fluctuations, helping investors feel secure in the long run.

At the same time, new demand for gold also arises by buying gold on digital platforms or through available channels such as a bank.

In the study, 76 percent of respondents were in favour of opening a gold investment account at a bank to support and formalise the gold market.

"Research shows demand for gold in Viet Nam is strong and there is support to develop new investment products such as buying gold through digital platforms or opening a gold investment account," Andrew Naylor, director in charge of ASEAN at the World Gold Council, said.

Ending yesterday, SJC gold price was bought at 55.2 million VND (2,379 USD) and sold at 55.6 million VND (2,396 USD) per tael.

Compared with gold prices listed on the global site of Kitco at 1,785 USD per ounce (2,142 USD per tael), each tael of gold in Viet Nam was 254 USD higher than the world price.

baodanang.vn/english/business/202105/viet-nam-becomes-regions-largest-gold-market-wgc-3880450/