Vietnam's consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.62 per cent in September from the previous month and 5.8 per cent year on year, mainly as domestic fuel prices increased in line with global energy prices, according to the Statistics Office.
For the first nine months, average CPI increased 4.52 per cent from the same period last year.
A Prime Group factory (Photo: Manh Quan).
Housing, electricity, water, fuel and construction materials recorded the largest increase among major groups, rising 6.68 per cent. Transport prices rose 6.06 per cent, while food and catering services increased 4.72 per cent and other goods and services 4.61 per cent.
Several other groups also recorded price increases, including beverages and tobacco, up 3.74 per cent; education, 3.35 per cent; household equipment and appliances, 2.84 per cent; culture, entertainment and tourism, 2.78 per cent; clothing, headwear and footwear, 2.05 per cent; medicines and healthcare services, 1.12 per cent; and post and telecommunications, 0.12 per cent.
Core inflation rose 0.11 per cent in September from the previous month and 4.45 per cent year on year. Its average increase for the first nine months was 4.26 per cent, below the 4.52 per cent rise in headline CPI.
The Statistics Office said the gap was largely due to fluctuations in petrol, gas, food, fresh produce and healthcare service prices, which pushed up headline CPI but are excluded from the core inflation calculation.
Petrol prices have risen in five consecutive price adjustments since early September. E5 RON 92 petrol has increased by a total of VND 4,800 (USD 0.18) per litre, while E10 RON 95-III has risen by VND 4,580 (USD 0.18) per litre.
Diesel prices have increased by VND 1,270 (USD 0.05) per litre over four adjustments, despite one decrease, while mazut prices have risen by VND 2,750 (USD 0.11) per kilo.