Core Viewpoint - The Vietnamese government is accelerating the construction of a gold trading platform to enhance market transparency, balance supply and demand, and gradually reduce the price gap with international markets [1] Group 1: Government Initiatives - The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, has requested the gold trading platform to be operational by February 2026 and to pilot a digital asset trading platform [1] - The government has tasked the State Bank of Vietnam with improving the research on a national-level gold trading platform or exchange model, with a report due to the government’s executive body by the end of January [1] Group 2: Platform Development Phases - The gold trading platform will be developed in three phases: starting with the trading of imported gold raw materials, followed by gold bar trading, and finally expanding to gold certificates and derivative products [1] - The pilot phase will not directly connect with international gold trading platforms, viewed as a cautious approach under macroeconomic control and economic stability [1] Group 3: Strategic Location and Long-term Goals - There are suggestions to establish the gold trading platform in Ho Chi Minh City's international financial center to enhance liquidity and regional connectivity through the pilot mechanism [1] - Long-term, the financialization of the gold market is expected to effectively mobilize private gold resources, reduce physical hoarding, and support sustainable economic growth [1] - The acceleration of the gold trading platform construction reflects the government's commitment to improving the modern market economy system and enhancing financial market regulatory capabilities in response to global fluctuations [1]