Crypto vs Gold: Emerging Trends in Vietnam’s Search for Safe Assets
June 30, 2025
Crypto vs Gold: Emerging Trends in Vietnam’s Search for Safe Assets
The debate between crypto vs gold as a crisis hedge is evolving quickly in Vietnam. In a country where gold has long been seen as the ultimate safe haven, cryptocurrency is now gaining ground as a serious alternative for protecting wealth. Inflation pressures, digital adoption, and shifting investor behavior are all shaping new trends in how Vietnamese people think about safeguarding their assets.
Here are some of the most significant trends shaping the future of crypto vs gold in Vietnam.
Source by: Vietnam Investment Review – VIR
1. Growing Interest in Crypto as a Hedge Among Young Vietnamese Investors
A noticeable trend in Vietnam is the generational divide. While older investors continue to favor gold as their first choice in uncertain times, younger Vietnamese are turning toward crypto.
Surveys and market activity suggest that Vietnam’s youth, especially those in urban centers like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, are more willing to explore crypto as part of their inflation hedge. For these investors, the appeal lies in crypto’s fast transactions, global reach, and potential for higher returns.
This does not mean that crypto has fully replaced gold. Rather, many young investors now see crypto as an additional layer of protection, often holding small amounts alongside more traditional assets like gold.
Source by: Crypto Council for Innovation
2. Increased Gold Demand During Local Price Shocks
Despite crypto’s rise, gold demand remains strong in Vietnam, especially when local financial shocks occur. In times of rising inflation or when the Vietnamese dong shows signs of weakness, gold shops in major cities still report increased customer traffic.
Recent price movements in Vietnam’s gold market continue to show that during times of domestic or regional uncertainty, gold remains the most immediate and trusted option. Vietnamese families often prefer to store physical gold at home, a habit that has proven resilient across generations.
This strong local demand reinforces gold’s position as the preferred quick-response asset during economic stress.
Source by: Vietnam+ (VietnamPlus)
3. Expanding Crypto Access Through Local Exchanges
Vietnam’s crypto market is becoming more accessible. Local trading platforms now offer smoother onboarding, Vietnamese language support, and easier connections to local banking systems.
These improvements have significantly lowered the barriers for first-time crypto investors. As more Vietnamese users get comfortable with mobile-based investment apps, crypto’s growth is becoming more mainstream. Crypto investment in Vietnam is no longer limited to tech-savvy individuals — the process is now accessible to a broader audience.
The rising number of Vietnamese users on both local and international crypto exchanges suggests that the country is quickly becoming a key market in Southeast Asia’s digital asset ecosystem.
4. Crypto Seen as a Mobility Asset in Globalized Vietnam
A subtle but growing trend is the use of crypto for financial mobility. As Vietnam becomes more globally connected through trade, travel, and digital work, some investors see crypto as a way to move assets quickly across borders.
Gold, while stable, is heavy and physically limited. Crypto offers Vietnamese investors flexibility in international transactions and the ability to protect assets outside of traditional banking systems.
This trend is particularly visible among younger professionals and entrepreneurs who value fast, borderless financial tools. For this group, crypto is not just a hedge — it is also a tool for future-proofing their assets in an increasingly global economy.
5. Crypto vs Gold Regulatory Watch: The Uncertain Path for Crypto in Vietnam
While crypto adoption is growing, Vietnam’s regulatory position remains cautious. Cryptocurrency is allowed for trading, but it is not legal tender. The government has not yet issued clear, comprehensive regulations.
This regulatory uncertainty is shaping how investors balance their portfolios. Many still see gold as the safer option because it operates within a fully legal framework. Crypto, despite its growth, carries policy risks that could change quickly if the government decides to tighten controls.
Vietnamese investors are paying close attention to regulatory signals, and this will likely influence how much exposure they are willing to have in crypto compared to gold in the coming years.
Conclusion: What These Trends Mean for Crypto vs Gold in Vietnam
The crypto vs gold landscape in Vietnam is entering a new phase. Gold continues to dominate as the trusted inflation hedge, especially for older and more conservative investors. However, crypto is quickly building a strong position among younger Vietnamese who see digital assets as part of their financial future.
The coexistence of these two assets is becoming the new norm. Vietnamese investors are not choosing one or the other — many are beginning to hold both, adjusting their strategies as economic conditions and regulations evolve.
In 2025, the most notable shift is this: Vietnam is no longer a gold-only market when it comes to hedging crises. Crypto is now part of the conversation, and its role will likely continue to grow as digital access expands and investor behaviors change. The key for Vietnamese investors is to follow these trends closely and build flexible, well-balanced strategies to face the country’s next economic challenges.
