Workers at PV Gas South Company fill gas canisters. Gas prices rose yesterday, while this month's CPI might also increase further. — VNA/VNS Photo Ha Thai

HA NOI (Biz Hub)— The national consumer price index (CPI) in August may rise by 0.6 per cent above the previous month when Ha Noi adjusts its hospital fees, the Domestic Market Management Group, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), forecast on Tuesday.

In August, the commodity market will be affected by factors such as weather, because the rainy season will affect the prices of food; an increase in the forex rate; higher fuel prices in the world market; and costs for the new school year.

The oil and gas price hike on July 17 from VND420-470 (US$0.019-0.022) per litre will contribute about 0.1-0.15 percent to the rise of the CPI in August over July.

The supply and demand in the market doesn't fluctuate much, so some products, such as foodstuff, fertiliser and sugar, remain on a stable trend.

However, as yesterday Ha Noi adjusted the fee of health care services, the CPI in August may rise about 0.6-0.7 per cent, twice as much as the estimated figure.

Earlier, the General Statistical Office (GSO) announced the country's CPI for July rose 0.27 per cent over June, marking it the strongest surge in the past five months.

If compared to last December, the CPI in July increased 2.68 per cent and is up 7.29 per cent from the same period last year.

Third hike in gas prices

Gas prices increased yesterday by VND667 ($0.03) per kilo or by VND8,000 ($0.38) per 12-kg canister.

After this latest increase, the current retail gas price stands at around VND386,000 ($18.4) per 12-kg canister.

The hike in domestic gas prices is due to higher prices on the global market, said Do Trung Thanh, the head of the business department at Sai Gon Petro.

He added that prices for deliveries in August in the global market have risen by $27,5 per tonne to hit $820 per tonne.

This is the third consecutive rise in gas prices since the beginning of June.— VNS