Việt Nam’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 3.27 per cent in the first 10 months of 2025 compared to the previous year, data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed on Thursday.

 

In October, CPI edged up 0.2 per cent from September, and increased 2.82 per cent from December 2024 and 3.25 per cent year-on-year, the NSO said, adding that core inflation rose 3.2 per cent in the same period.

 

During the month, ten consumer goods and service categories posted monthly price gains, led by food and catering services, up 0.59 per cent, contributing 0.20 percentage points to the CPI increase.

 

Education prices climbed 0.51 per cent after some private schools and universities raised tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year. Other goods and services advanced 0.43 per cent, driven by a 9.82 per cent surge in jewellery prices, following a global rally in gold. Prices of body care products and personal appliances also increased.

 

Household equipment and appliances climbed 0.2 per cent, while clothing, hats and footwear rose 0.18 per cent due to higher demand as cooler weather set in.

 

Meanwhile, beverages and tobacco gained 0.12 per cent, and culture, entertainment and tourism edged up 0.06 per cent, thanks to higher hotel, venue, and entertainment costs.

 

The NSO noted that the housing, utilities and construction materials group rose marginally by 0.01 per cent, while transport costs dropped 0.81 per cent, shaving 0.08 percentage points off the CPI, as domestic fuel prices were adjusted downward during the month.

 

Gold prices posted sharp gains in October. The domestic gold price index jumped 12.53 per cent month-on-month and 65.03 per cent from a year earlier, following global price increases as expectations of US interest rate cuts, a weaker dollar, and geopolitical tensions boosted demand for safe-haven assets.

 

By contrast, the domestic US dollar price index fell 0.34 per cent in October but remained 5.54 per cent higher year-on-year, the NSO said.

 

It added that core inflation in October rose 0.35 per cent month-on-month and 3.3 per cent year-on-year, staying below the overall CPI increase as volatile food and energy items were excluded.

 

Earlier this year, experts predicted that despite inflationary risks, proactive policy management could help Việt Nam sustain inflation at 3.5-4.5 per cent range in 2025, maintaining macro-economic stability. — VNS