Gold prices edge up

But gold ring prices continued to decline by 0.37% to VND53.7 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

Global gold prices inched up but were bound for a weekly loss as the U.S. Federal Reserve projected higher interest rates for a longer period, Reuters reported.

Spot gold rose 0.2% to $1,780.63 per ounce.

"Gold’s fall this week is in the aftermath of the Fed meet. Also, with recession risks rising, the U.S. dollar will emerge as the preferred safe haven," said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastytlive.

The Fed on Wednesday raised interest rates by 50 basis points as expected, but Chair Jerome Powell said the central bank would deliver more hikes next year even as the economy slips towards a recession.

Although gold is traditionally known as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainties, higher interest rates tend to dim bullion’s appeal by increasing the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding metal.

Central banks in Europe followed the Fed in slowing the pace of interest rate increases but offered a similar stark message that financial conditions will continue to tighten even as economic performance deteriorates.