Hanoi’s consumer price index (CPI) in January grew 0.22 percent from the previous month and 3.92 percent year on year, according to the city’s Statistics Office.

 

Almost all goods categories recorded price increases, except for transport and postal – telecom services.

 

Notably, after declines for several months, prices of food, and eating and drinking services have rebounded to rise 0.92 percent from December 2018, making them the group with the strongest price hike, data showed.

 

The prices of foods like pork, poultry, beef, aquatic products and vegetables surged in the month ahead of the Lunar New Year festival (Tet) that falls in early February, throughout which consumption demand usually skyrockets.

 

Travel and entertainment demand has also increased sharply, leading to a price rise of 0.78 percent in the category of culture, entertainment and tourism.

 

Meanwhile, petrol and diesel prices in January have dropped strongly by 6.89 percent from last month, following price cuts nationwide. As a result, transport service prices in Hanoi have fallen 2.92 percent, the municipal Statistics Office said.-VNA