Hanoi, July 31 -- The recent surge of gold prices may cause risks for individual buyers , experts and analysts have warned.

At sensitive times, gold firms expand the difference between selling and buying prices to ensure buyers share risks with the shops, so people should think twice before purchasing gold, economist Nguyen Tri Hieu said.

"Gold buyers should be careful because the difference between selling and buying prices on the local market and the gap between domestic and global prices may hurt their pockets," he said.

"The sharp increase of gold prices in recent days is an opportunity for speculation but the risk is also high," he said.

There is still a chance to invest in gold in the near future but buyers should accept the ris...