Hanoi’s CPI rises 0.14% in May, driven by housing and tourism
Consumer prices in Hanoi show steady gains as housing costs climb and travel activity picks up.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.14% in May from the previous month, fueled mainly by rising housing costs and increased tourism activity, according to the Hanoi Statistics Office.
Since December 2024, the capital’s CPI has climbed 1.28%. For the January–May period, the average CPI was up 3.03% compared to the same period in 2024.
Shoppers browse the food and beverage aisles of a supermarket in Hanoi. Photo: Tram Anh/The Hanoi Times
Eight out of eleven major commodity groups recorded modest increases in May. Housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials posted the strongest monthly gain of 0.88%, contributing 0.18 percentage points to the overall CPI. Rental prices rose 1.3%, and home maintenance materials edged up 0.29%.
The culture, entertainment, and tourism group saw a 0.34% surge, reflecting robust travel demand during the month. In contrast, the transportation group declined 0.27% due to falling gasoline and diesel prices, which helped temper overall CPI growth.
Notable upward pressures during the January–May period came from health services, which rose 16.74% year-on-year. This spike followed the Hanoi People’s Council's implementation of Resolution 45/2024/NQ-HĐND on December 10, 2024, which adjusted medical service prices at public hospitals in the capital. This policy added 0.85 percentage points to the overall CPI.
Hanoi’s consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.14% in May from April, fueled mainly by higher housing costs and increased tourism activity, according to the Hanoi Statistics Office. Over the first five months of 2025, the city's average CPI climbed 3.03% year-on-year.
Housing and utility prices rose 7.31% during the period, contributing 1.49 percentage points to overall CPI growth. Rental prices saw the sharpest increase at 11%, while electricity and water prices went up nearly 5%.
Tourism and cultural services jumped 3.95%, marking stronger demand during the holiday season. Food and dining costs rose 2.89%, with cereals and out-of-home meals up over 4%.
Notably, jewelry prices surged 44.2% and health insurance premiums rose nearly 30%, pushing up the cost of other goods and services by 5.14%.
Meanwhile, transportation, education, and postal services saw price declines, helping to offset some of the upward pressure on consumer prices.
