The Ha Noi Statistics Department reported that the capital's CPI in July rose up by 0.18 per cent over June.— Photo vinacorp

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — The consumer price indices (CPI) in the country's two biggest cities in July continued to rise, according to the statistics departments of Ha Noi and HCM City.

The Ha Noi Statistics Department reported that the capital's CPI in July rose up by 0.18 per cent over June.

The department said the two surges in petroleum retail selling prices at the end of June and the beginning of July, pushed transport costs higher, thus contributing to the rise in the CPI.

Ten out of the 11 baskets of goods, which contribute to the calculation of the capital's CPI data, saw an increase in prices this month. Among these, beverages and cigarette groups rose by 0.55 per cent, housing, electricity, water and building material saw a 0.53 per cent increase and transport rose by 0.51 per cent.

The department added that tightening of truck loading capacity raised costs on transportation of building material.

In addition, the surge of people attending the university entrance examinations also made demands on accommodation, food, room rentals and other services.

Gold prices rose 1.97 per cent in comparison with the previous month and reduced 2.51 per cent over the same period last year. The US dollar saw 0.56 per cent month-on-month rise and 0.76 per cent against the corresponding period last year.

HCM City Statistics Department also reported an increase of 0.12 per cent in the city CPI for July against the previous month and represented a 7.89 per cent year-on-year increase.

However, this has been the lowest CPI rise in months which increased so far this year. Of the 11 baskets of goods that saw a rise were food (0.25 per cent), garments and textiles (0.05 per cent) and warehouses (0.03 per cent). Others that rose were transport (0.4 per cent), posts and telecommunication (0.01 per cent), and goods and other services (0.29 per cent).

Beverage and tobacco saw a 0.06 per cent decrease while that of housing, water and electricity was 0.07 per cent, education 0.12 per cent and entertainment 0.34 per cent.

Pharmaceutical and healthcare services remained unchanged.

The department said the factors that caused the CPI increase in July was a rise in prices of meat, egg and vegetables, and especially the recent rise of petroleum products selling at a record level of VND25,640 (US$1.22) per litre. — VNS