Gold prices declined significantly
Gold prices closed the week on a steep downward trend. Domestic gold bar prices were recorded at VND 163.5 million per tael (selling price) across several major jewelry and bullion brands.
As of the evening of May 17, domestic gold prices were listed consistently among leading enterprises. SJC gold in Hanoi and Da Nang was quoted at VND 160.5 million per tael (buying) and VND 163.5 million per tael (selling). Prices in Ho Chi Minh City mirrored those levels.
Compared to the previous week’s closing session, gold prices declined by VND 4 million per tael on both buying and selling sides.
Similarly, DOJI gold prices in Hanoi stood at VND 160.5 million per tael (buying) and VND 163.5 million per tael (selling), marking a weekly drop of VND 4 million per tael. Prices in Ho Chi Minh City were unchanged from Hanoi.
PNJ also listed gold at VND 160.5 million per tael (buying) and VND 163.5 million per tael (selling), reflecting the same decrease of VND 4 million per tael week-on-week. Bao Tin Minh Chau reported identical price levels and declines.
Overall, the domestic gold market ended the week with a sharp correction. With a buy-sell spread of approximately VND 3 million per tael and a total weekly drop of VND 4 million per tael, investors effectively incurred losses of around VND 7 million per tael over the course of the week.
Rice exports posted strong gains
Rice emerged as the brightest spot in the agricultural commodities market, with Vietnamese export prices recording notable increases.
According to the Vietnam Food Association, Jasmine rice was offered at USD 513–517 per ton, up USD 7 per ton compared to midweek levels. Fragrant rice with 5% broken grains also increased by USD 10 per ton, reaching USD 510–520 per ton.
Meanwhile, 100% broken rice remained stable at USD 331–335 per ton.
The upward trend in Vietnamese rice prices occurred amid strong volatility in global markets. In Thailand, 5% broken rice rose to USD 413–417 per ton, while 100% broken rice reached USD 392–396 per ton. In contrast, Indian rice prices edged down by approximately USD 1 per ton across several segments.
Domestically, rice prices in the Mekong Delta remained stable. Data from the An Giang Department of Agriculture and Environment showed that fresh paddy prices for OM 18 and Dai Thom 8 ranged between VND 6,200–6,300 per kg. OM 5451 held at VND 5,600–5,700 per kg, IR 50404 at VND 5,400–5,500 per kg, and OM 34 at VND 5,100–5,200 per kg.
Export-grade rice materials also maintained firm levels. Dai Thom 8 rice was priced at VND 9,200–9,400 per kg, OM 5451 at VND 9,500–9,600 per kg, while finished IR 504 rice traded at VND 10,750–10,900 per kg.
Coffee prices declined on global exchanges
In contrast to the positive performance of rice, the coffee market turned bearish.
On international exchanges, both robusta and arabica futures posted significant losses, extending the downward trend from previous sessions. On the London exchange, July 2026 robusta contracts fell by USD 122 per ton to USD 3,365 per ton. September contracts dropped by USD 127 per ton to USD 3,245 per ton.
On the New York exchange, arabica futures for the same delivery period declined to 266.9 US cents per pound, marking the lowest level in approximately nine months.
Analysts attributed the decline primarily to the depreciation of the Brazilian real against the US dollar, which encouraged increased selling from Brazilian producers.
The global downturn weighed on domestic sentiment. In Vietnam’s Central Highlands, coffee prices remained largely unchanged, averaging VND 87,700 per kg. Dak Nong (Lam Dong area) recorded the highest level at VND 87,800 per kg, while Dak Lak and Gia Lai both stood at VND 87,700 per kg.
Pepper prices held firm at high levels
Pepper prices continued to stabilize at elevated levels. In major growing regions, prices ranged between VND 141,500 and VND 144,000 per kg.
The Central Highlands recorded the highest prices, with Dak Lak and Dak Nong (Lam Dong area) both reaching VND 144,000 per kg. Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City followed at VND 143,000 per kg, while Gia Lai stood at VND 141,500 per kg.
The prolonged sideways movement suggested a balanced supply-demand situation.
Globally, Indian pepper prices remained at exceptionally high levels. Black pepper (Garbled) was priced at USD 71,400 per ton, while Ungarbled pepper traded at USD 69,400 per ton, equivalent to approximately VND 197,797 per kg. Pepper graded by gram per liter reached USD 68,400 per ton, or about VND 194,947 per kg.
Live hog prices remained stable
Live hog prices remained steady across all three regions, fluctuating between VND 66,000 and VND 71,000 per kg.
Southern Vietnam continued to lead with the highest prices. Dong Nai held at VND 71,000 per kg, while Ho Chi Minh City traded at around VND 70,000 per kg. Tay Ninh and Vinh Long both recorded VND 69,000 per kg.
In the northern region, prices ranged from VND 67,000 to VND 69,000 per kg. Bac Ninh, Hanoi, and Hung Yen led at VND 69,000 per kg, while Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang, and Ninh Binh remained at VND 67,000 per kg.
The central and Central Highlands regions recorded prices between VND 66,000 and VND 69,000 per kg. Lam Dong posted the highest levels, while Quang Tri, Hue, and Da Nang remained at VND 66,000 per kg.
Stable consumption demand helped maintain price levels, easing concerns among livestock producers.
Durian market showed strong segmentation
The durian market continued to display increasing segmentation based on quality and origin.
Premium varieties such as Musang King and Black Thorn maintained strong price levels due to limited supply and robust demand from high-end consumers.
Specifically, Black Thorn Grade A durians in the Mekong Delta were priced at VND 125,000 per kg. Musang King Grade A reached VND 95,000 per kg in Binh Phuoc and around VND 90,000 per kg in the Mekong Delta. In the mid-range segment, Ri6 durian prices remained stable. Grade A fruit was traded between VND 49,000 and VND 52,000 per kg, with Binh Phuoc recording the highest level at VND 52,000 per kg. However, Thai durian prices in the Mekong Delta declined slightly. Premium Grade A fruit fell to VND 82,000 per kg, while standard Grade A fruit dropped to VND 80,000 per kg.
Other domestic varieties such as Sau Huu were priced at VND 58,000 per kg, while Chuong Bo durians stood at VND 45,000 per kg.
Overall, lower-grade durians (Grade B and C) faced significant downward pressure due to inconsistent quality and signs of weakening domestic demand.
Conclusion
In summary, Vietnam’s commodity market on May 17 reflected a mixed performance across sectors. While rice exports surged and pepper, as well as live hog prices, remained resilient, gold and coffee markets experienced notable declines. The durian sector, meanwhile, continued to highlight the growing importance of quality differentiation in determining price dynamics.
Source: Vitic