HCM City’s CPI increases 1.51 percent in Q1. (Photo: VNA)According to the municipal Statistics Office, last month,five out of 11 groups of commodities and services saw price decreases, namely restaurantand catering services; garment-textile, headwear and footwear; householdutensils, medicine and health services; and telecommunications.
Meanwhile, prices of the remaining six groups rosefrom the previous month, with the highest jump recorded in transport services, at 4.94percent.
The office explained that the price hike in restaurantand catering services was due to price adjustments by suppliers because of surgingoil and gas prices.
It also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has affectedthe export of agricultural products to China, leading to the abundant supply athome and the price drop of vegetables and fruits.
The prices of gas and other fuels jumped 10.01percent, and kerosene, up 18.31 percent in the month.
Local gold prices also soared 8.48 percent in Marchand 13.64 percent in the first quarter. The rate of US dollar increased 0.25 percentthis month, but dropped 0.11 percent in the three-month period.
The office said trade activities in HCM City arerecovering quickly and local residents have returned to their normal life afterthe pandemic was brought under control.
The total retail sales of consumer goods and services inMarch reached some 92.69 trillion VND (4.05 billion USD), increases of 8.4percent month-on-month and 3 percent year-on-year.
The city’s tourism revenue also expanded 3.1 percentfrom the previous month and 1.4 percent as compared with the corresponding timelast year thanks to the country’s full tourism reopening from March 15.
The total retail sales of goods and services over thepast three months stood at about 266.9 trillion VND, down 4.8 percentyear-on-year, partially due to changes in consumption habits due to thepandemic.
However, the office forecast that the revenue fromtrade and services will grow in the next quarters as business activities andpurchasing power are bouncing back./.
VNA
