The consumer price index (CPI) for housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials rose by 0.5 percent in March 2025, contributing 0.09 percentage points to overall CPI growth. The increase was largely driven by higher rents and input material costs, while declines in utility and fuel prices provided some offset, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Key data:
- House rental prices rose 1.09%
– Attributed to high demand and rising real estate values - Home repair services increased 0.25%
- Housing maintenance materials rose 0.26%
– Driven by costlier inputs like cement, steel, coal, and labour - In contrast, several utility and fuel categories declined:
– Kerosene prices down 4.99%
– Domestic electricity fell 0.14%
– Water prices decreased 1.63% due to lower post-Tet consumption
– Gas prices dropped 0.46%, following a global price adjustment of 2,000 VND per 12kg cylinder
The March increase in housing-related costs highlights underlying pressure in Vietnam’s rental and construction sectors, fuelled by real estate trends and higher input prices. However, subdued utility and fuel prices look to have helped prevent a broader surge in household inflation.
See also: Real Estate Industry in Vietnam