Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 1.14 percent in February compared with the previous month as food, dining and transport costs increased during the Lunar New Year holiday. Prices were up 1.19 percent compared with December 2025 and 3.35 percent year-on-year.
Average inflation in the first two months of 2026 reached 2.94 percent compared with the same period last year. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 3.47 percent over the same period.
Food and beverage prices recorded the largest increase in February, rising 2.02 percent and contributing 0.72 percentage points to the overall CPI increase. Food prices rose 2.34 percent while dining out costs increased 1.71 percent as demand surged during the Tet holiday period.
The transport category rose 1.23 percent, driven by higher fuel and passenger transport prices. Air passenger fares increased 21.07 percent, road passenger transport rose 3.60 percent and diesel prices increased 6.34 percent.
Prices for cultural, entertainment and tourism services rose 1.36 percent as demand increased during the holiday period. Ornamental plant and flower prices increased 9.51 percent while package tour prices rose 1.6 percent and hotel and guesthouse prices increased 0.63 percent.
Other goods and services increased 1.30 percent, partly due to jewellery prices rising 8.23 percent following increases in domestic gold prices. Personal care services and hairdressing services also rose as demand increased before the holiday.
Housing, electricity, water, fuel and construction materials rose 0.56 percent, while household equipment and furnishings increased 0.57 percent as consumer spending rose during the holiday season. Clothing, hats and footwear prices increased 0.55 percent.
Healthcare prices rose 0.14 percent, mainly due to increased demand for cold and respiratory medications. Education prices increased 0.09 percent due to tuition adjustments at some private institutions.
Information and communication prices increased slightly by 0.01 percent. While some telecommunications services rose, prices for smartphones, tablets and electronic equipment declined due to promotional discounts.
Core inflation rose 0.82 percent in February compared with the previous month and increased 3.74 percent year-on-year. Over the first two months of 2026, core inflation remained higher than the overall CPI increase, reflecting the exclusion of food and energy price movements from the calculation.