Vietnam: Inflation inches up in March
According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, consumer prices fell 0.21% over the prior month in March, contrasting the 0.80% rise logged in February. The decline came primarily on a drop in prices of food; clothing and footwear; and household appliances and goods. On the other hand, transport prices rose sharply in the month.
Inflation edged up to 2.7% in March from 2.6% in February, remaining in line with the Central Bank’s target of below 4.0% inflation. Annual average inflation on the other hand was stable at 3.5% in March.
Core consumer prices—which excludes prices for volatile items such as food, energy products and commodities—fell 0.06% month-on-month in March, down from the 0.48% increase registered in February. Meanwhile, core inflation was steady at February’s 1.8% in March.