06.02.202602:27:29UTC+00Vietnam Inflation Rate Lowest in 2-½ Years

In January 2026, Vietnam experienced a slowdown in its annual inflation rate, reaching 2.53%, the lowest level observed since July 2023, and a decrease from December's 3.48%. This easing in inflation was notable across several sub-components, particularly in the food and foodstuff services sector, which fell to 3.64% from 4.20% in December, spurred by lower food costs, which decreased by 1.22%. Similarly, price growth moderated in other areas: beverages and cigarettes decreased to 1.95% from 2.05%, garments, hats, and footwear saw a reduction to 1.21% from 1.33%, household equipment and goods moved down to 1.71% from 1.77%, and the rate for medicine and healthcare services significantly decreased to 0.92% from 10.27%. The transport sector experienced deeper deflation, falling to -3.76% from -0.55%, alongside a slight deflation in information and communication, moving to -0.28% from -0.25%. Conversely, inflation showed an increase in housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials, ticking up to 5.60% from 5.23%, as well as in education, which rose to 3.14% from 3.05%. On a month-to-month comparison, consumer prices saw a slight rise of 0.05%, following a 0.19% increase in December. The core inflation rate also slightly eased to 3.19% from 3.27% in December.