Vietnam gold prices rise to new record

Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) sold its gold at VND63.5 million ($2,801.49) per tael Monday afternoon, up 1.02 percent from Friday. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

Prices at another major reseller, DOJI, stood at VND63.4 million.

The increase came ahead of the annual God of Wealth Day on Friday. This is the time when Vietnamese often purchase gold with the belief that the metal could bring good fortune to their business and family through Lunar New Year.

Global gold prices hit a more than one-week peak of $1,812.80 per ounce Monday, as inflationary pressures due to surging oil prices helped cushion the impact of a U.S. Treasury yield rally after an upbeat jobs report.

"Gold is getting a little bit defensive, realizing that we could be in this state for hyperinflation," Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, told Reuters.