According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam (GSO), the consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.21% in March against the previous month, by 4.65% as compared to that of the same period of 2016, and by 0.9% in comparison with December, 2016. Core inflation in March, 2017 was unchanged as compared to that of February, 2017.
The price of eight groups of commodities out of eleven groups of commodities increased as compared to the previous month. The price of the group of medicine and health services registered the highest increase of 7.51%. The price of the groups of education; housing and construction materials; transport; family equipment and appliances; other commodities and services; culture, entertainment and tourism; and postal services increased by 0.75%, 0.5%, 0.39%, 0.06%, 0.06%, 0.04% and 0.03% respectively.
The price of three groups of commodities decreases, of which the price of the groups of food and catering services; garments, textiles, hats and footwear; beverage and cigarette declined by 0.87%, 0.12% and 0.02% respectively.
The gold price was down by 0.28% while USD appreciated by 0.41% against VND as compared to that of February, 2017.
Le Hang