According to the socio-economic report for October and the first ten months of 2026 released by the National Statistics Office (under the Ministry of Finance) on November 3, 2026, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in October 2026 rose by 0.2% compared with the previous month, by 4.41% compared with December 2025, and by 5.09% year on year. The average CPI for the first ten months of 2026 increased by 4.57% compared with the same period in 2025, while core inflation rose by 4.24%.
CPI data for October show that, among the 11 main groups of consumer goods and services, the price indices of seven groups increased, while those of the remaining four groups decreased.
Specifically, the price indices of seven groups of consumer goods and services increased month on month. The price index for housing, electricity, water, fuel and construction materials rose by 0.04%, mainly due to higher prices of gas, housing repair services and housing maintenance materials. The price index for household appliances and goods increased by 0.17%, mainly reflecting higher costs of raw materials, fuel and labor. The price index for beverages and cigarettes rose by 0.19%, driven by high raw material and transportation costs. The price index for other goods and services increased by 0.27%, mainly due to higher prices of personal care products and increases in the costs of watch and jewelry repair, hairdressing and shampooing services.
The price index for education rose by 0.31%. The price index for medicines and healthcare services also increased by 0.31%, mainly due to a 0.34% rise in healthcare service prices following adjustments in some cities and provinces, as well as increases in the prices of certain medicines. The price index for transport recorded the largest increase, rising by 2.66% and contributing 0.27 percentage points to the overall CPI increase. This was mainly attributable to a 6.86% rise in gasoline prices and a 0.75% increase in diesel prices.
Meanwhile, the price indices of four groups of consumer goods and services declined compared with September 2026. The price index for garments, hats and footwear decreased by 0.06%; that for postal services and telecommunications fell by 0.18%; and that for culture, entertainment and tourism declined by 0.87%.
The average CPI for the first ten months of 2026 increased by 4.57% compared with the same period of 2025, with notable increases recorded in food and catering services; housing, electricity, water, fuel and construction materials; and transport, among other groups.
According to the National Statistics Office, core inflation in October 2026 decreased by 0.05% compared with the previous month but increased by 4.04% year on year. The average core inflation rate for the first ten months of 2026 rose by 4.24% compared with the same period in 2025, lower than the corresponding increase in the average CPI of 4.57%.
This difference was mainly attributable to fluctuations in the prices of gasoline, diesel, gas, food, fresh food and healthcare services, which exerted upward pressure on the overall CPI but are excluded from the basket of goods and services used to calculate core inflation.
Minh Khang