CPI continues to edge up in August

The index went up 3.53% compared to December and posted a year-on-year increase of 7.5%.

The average inflation rate in eight months surged 6.9% against the same period last year, the office said. 

Food catering services saw an increase of 0.54% in price mainly due to torrential rains caused by storms and rising transport costs.

The prices of medical and healthcare services posted the sharpest increase at 4.11% following the latest adjustments of healthcare prices in Ha Noi.

Transport prices picked up 1.11% as a result of petrol price hikes which were imposed in June and July. 

Noticeably, education costs rose 0.9% as the new school year starts in August.

Prices of housing and building materials picked up 0.88% while only post and telecom services dipped 0.02%.

Gold and USD prices increased 0.32% and 0.06%, respectively./. 

By Kim Loan