CPI in HN, HCM City slightly increases

VGP - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March in Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi witnessed slight increases compared to the previous month.

Ho Chi Minh City’s CPI rose 0.09% against  February and recorded a year-on-year increase of 0.64%, according to the municipal Statistics Office.

Among 11 reviewed categories, only indexes of 5 groups increased in comparison with the month before. Medicine and health services topped the list with an increase of 8.69%, as health service charges rose from March 1, 2016.

Other categories which saw rises in prices in the month were education up 2.92%; home appliances up 0.34%; housing, electricity, water, fuel and building materials up 0.22%; and culture, entertainment and tourism up 0.06%.

Otherwise, prices of six areas went down in March compared with February, including transportation; other goods and services, beverages and cigarettes, post and telecommunications, restaurant and catering services, apparel, headwear and footwear.

The US$ price in March went up 3.44% against the same period last year while gold prices dropped 4.36%.

Ha Noi’s CPI in March also saw a slight increase compared to the previous month which was mainly attributed to the rise in the price of health service.

The US$ price fell 0.1% this month. Meanwhile, the gold price rose 7.73%.

Thuy Dung

VGP News