Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) surged 4.12% year-on-year in the first seven months of the year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

In July, the CPI was up 0.48% compared to the previous month.

The increase can be attributed to petroleum price hike, increasing household electricity consumption demand and the adjustment of the health insurance fees following salary increase.

The price indexes for the groups of commodities and services rose 3.77%, transport 1.45%, and housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials 0.5%.

Figures from the GSO show that core inflation in July jumped 0.36% compared to the previous month and 2.61% year-on-year, pushing the inflation rate in the first seven months to 2.73%.