Hanoi ’s consumer price index (CPI) in May rose 0.16 percent against the previous month, a year-on-year increase of 7.8 percent.
Except for post and telecom services, other commodity groups saw sharp changes. Prices in the restaurant and restaurant services group and housing, electricity, water, fuel and construction material group decreased by 0.24 and 1.03 percent respectively.
The goods and other services group took the lead with a 2.75 percent increase, followed by the transportation group with 1.32 percent. Prices in the remaining groups saw increases below 1 percent.
According to economic experts, the CPI rise was due to increases in prices of the goods and other services group, and the price hike of petrol from April 20 which led to a 1.32 percent rise in transportation group.
They said the reason behind the increase in prices of other goods and services was the adjustment of the minimum salary, while the long holidays in late April and early May also led to the increase in prices of culture, entertainment and travel services.
Experts also said that an abundant supply of rice and vegetables led to decrease in prices of restaurant and restaurant services.
Although the price for pure gold decreased 1.76 percent in comparison with April, it rose 11.82 percent over the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the price of the US dollar remained unchanged, but was up 0.62 percent against the same period of 2011.
VNA
