Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s consumerprice index (CPI) in April was down 0.04 percent against the previous month whileup 2.7 percent year on year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The index in the first four months grew0.89 percent year-on-year, the lowest growth rate since 2016.

Compared to the previous month, a downturnwas seen in the prices of four out of 11 main groups of goods and services,with housing and construction materials taking the lead (0.43 percent). It wasfollowed by post and telecommunication services (0.2 percent); food andcatering services (0.13 percent); and culture, entertainment and tourism (0.11percent).

The prices of garment-textile, headwear andfootwear remained stable compared to the previous month.

The prices of transport services posted thestrongest increase of 0.87 percent, while those of drinking and tobacco 0.14percent, and equipment and household appliances 0.11 percent.

The GSO’s Price Statistics Departmentattributed the CPI price rise in the first four months to a hike in domestic andexport prices of rice as well as the higher demand for the grain for the LunarNew Year (Tet) festival.

Prices of foodstuff in the period rose 0.2percent year on year, while those of gas and petrol climbed by 14.69 percentand 2.49 percent, respectively, from the previous year.

Prices of educational services in January-Aprilsaw a year-on-year rise of 4.48 percent, driven by a tuition fee hike startingfrom the 2020-21 academic year.

On contrary, electricity prices in theperiod fell by 5.88 percent over the same period last year.

In the months, airlines and tourismoperators introduced a host of promotions to boost tourism. On average, the airticket prices dropped by 17.4 percent, train fares down 7.39 percent; and tourprices down 3.32 percent.

Domestic gold price in April contracted 1.9percent over the previous month but went up 13.84 percent year-on-year, makingthe four-month figure up by 20.84 percent.

Meanwhile, that of US dollar was around23,170 VND per USD, up 0.29 percent month-on-month but down 1.35 percentyear-on-year, bringing the figure down 0.77 percent in Jan-Apr.

Core inflation in April increased 0.07percent month on month and 0.95 percent against the same period last year.

The index expanded 0.74 percent in thefirst four months.

The core inflation rates in April and thefirst four months of 2021 compared to the same periods last year were thelowest in the past five years./.