The latest report from the National Statistics Office (NSO) at the Ministry of Finance (MoF) put the increase to the consumer price index (CPI) in October at 0.2 per cent against September, 2.82 per cent since December 2024, and 3.25 per cent year-on-year. The increase in the first ten months of 2025 was 3.27 per cent year-on-year.
The main factors behind the October CPI increase were higher food prices in cities and provinces affected by flooding, rising costs of dining out due to higher ingredient prices, and adjustments to tuition fees in non-public education for the new school year. Housing, electricity and water, construction materials, clothing, household equipment, and other categories increased only slightly, reflecting recovery in consumer demand and higher production costs as the end of the year approaches.
Core inflation stable
According to the NSO, the average monthly CPI increase was 0.28 per cent since the start of the year; lower than in the same period of 2024. Main contributors included food and catering services (up 3.18 per cent), housing and construction materials (up 6.2 per cent), medicine and healthcare services (up 13.39 per cent), and education (up 1.95 per cent). Conversely, transportation (down 2.61 per cent) and postal and telecommunications services (down 0.48 per cent) helped limit overall growth.
Its figures also show that core inflation in October rose 0.35 per cent from September and 3.30 per cent year-on-year. On average, during the ten-month period, core inflation increased 3.20 per cent year-on-year, or slightly below overall CPI growth.
Results indicate that price and monetary policies are moving in the right direction, helping to control inflation without undermining economic growth. The increase in the CPI is also considered consistent with market trends and aligns with the government’s goal of keeping inflation under 4 per cent.
Experts noted that a ten-month CPI increase of just 3.27 per cent reflects close coordination between fiscal and monetary policies. The MoF controls public spending and reasonably manages prices on essential goods, while the State Bank of Vietnam proactively loosens credit in a controlled manner, supporting business recovery without creating inflationary pressure.
Certain factors may cause slight price increases in the final two months of 2025, such as rising year-end consumer demand, adjustments to tuition and public service fees, and global energy price fluctuations. However, with a stable macro-economic foundation and flexible policy tools, the likelihood of inflation exceeding 4.5 per cent is rather low.
Analysts emphasized the importance of stabilizing inflation expectations and avoiding “panic” price adjustments. Transparency in the supply and demand of fuel, food, gold, and foreign currency is also necessary to maintain market confidence.
The CPI increase in the first ten months clearly demonstrates that inflation in Vietnam is well-controlled despite global uncertainties. This outcome is not only the result of sound economic policies but also a key foundation for maintaining high growth, stabilizing living standards, and reinforcing confidence in the government’s management capacity.
Inflation under control
Vietnam’s inflation has remained stable even as fiscal and monetary policies have been loosened to support growth. As of the end of September, money supply was estimated to have risen 8.5 per cent, with credit up 13.4 per cent since the beginning of the year. However, the velocity of money stood at just 0.65-times, well below the usual 0.9 to 1.0-times.
Dr. Can Van Luc, Chief Economist at the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), attributed this mainly to a slowdown in money circulation. “Though more money is being injected into the economy, it is not circulating strongly, with bottlenecks in areas such as public investment and private sector capital flows,” he explained. “As a result, inflation did not surge.” Another key factor was tight control over essential goods like food, fuel, and electricity, along with ensuring ample supply.
According to the NSO, the positive results in inflation control are due to ministries, agencies, and local authorities aggressively implementing coordinated measures to manage prices and balance supply and demand, especially in essential goods, as directed by the government. Supportive policies, such as a 2 per cent reduction in VAT, cuts in fees and charges, and lower import tariffs on many goods, have also been maintained.
Local governments have actively promoted industrial programs, supported small and medium-sized enterprises, boosted production and business, and improved the investment environment. Experts believe these measures leave space to keep annual inflation below the National Assembly (NA) target.
Dr. Luc added that inflation is not a major concern for 2025. The annual average CPI is forecast at 3.8-4 per cent - under the NA target - thanks to sufficient supply of essential goods and services, stable exchange rates and interest rates, and close coordination between fiscal and monetary policies. Still, inflationary pressure may rise in the final quarter of the year due to cost-push and demand-pull factors.
Cost-push pressures include higher import prices stemming from US tariffs and increases in State-managed goods, while demand-pull pressures may come from credit growth to meet higher capital needs. Authorities also need to ensure adequate supply of essential goods during floods and natural disasters to stabilize prices.
Economists caution that authorities cannot be complacent. From now until year’s-end, food and dining-out prices could continue rising in flood-affected areas, particularly vegetables and processed food. Vietnam’s economy remains exposed to external factors, such as energy prices, exchange rates, and monetary policy changes in major economies, requiring careful monitoring and flexible policy adjustments.
Public investment disbursement pressure is also increasing, with nearly VND1,000 trillion ($38.5 billion) targeted for full allocation in 2025. Implementing market-based pricing for State-managed services must be carefully managed to balance CPI trends with development and social stability goals.
The government issued Resolution No. 86/NQ-CP on November 4, outlining key tasks for the closing months of the year and emphasizing continued inflation control, macro-economic stability, growth promotion, and the maintenance of major economic balances. Credit will be directed towards production, priority sectors, and growth drivers, while the gold, stock, bond, and real estate markets will be closely managed.
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