Vietnam’s CPI increased by 0.2% in October, and the average rise over the first ten months of 2026 was 4.57%, while core inflation stood at 4.24%, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance. This upward trend is important for anyone tracking living costs.

The National Statistics Office said the main trigger was higher domestic fuel prices, which followed the same upward pattern seen in global markets. Fuel‑related pressure therefore became the primary engine behind the CPI’s recent climb.

Housing, electricity, water, fuel and construction materials together surged 6.66%, adding 1.51 percentage points to the overall CPI. Transport prices rose 6.98%—with fuel itself up 13.09%—contributing another 0.7 percentage points. Meanwhile, food and catering services grew 4.61% year‑on‑year, accounting for 1.65 percentage points of the total increase.

The statistics office noted that CPI growth accelerated early in the year, peaked in May, softened during June and July, and then rose again from August through October. It attributed these fluctuations to higher global fuel and gas prices, rising construction and housing costs, stronger electricity demand and higher food input costs.

In short, the 2026 CPI surge was driven mainly by soaring fuel, housing‑related, transport and food prices. Recognising these key contributors can help households plan their spending and savings more effectively.