The total retail sales of goods and consumption service revenue in Ho Chi Minh City reached over VND90.5 trillion ($3.83 billion) in January, a year-on-year increase of 5.7 per cent, according to the city’s Department of Industry and Trade.

Retail sales stood at some VND56.89 trillion ($2.4 billion), accounting for 62.8 per cent of the total and up 7.8 per cent.

Commodities recording the highest revenue growth year-on-year were grain, up 12.3 per cent, foodstuffs 12.4 per cent, and automobiles and other vehicles 12.9 per cent.

Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Statistics Office Nguyen Khac Hoang said the city ensured the supply of foodstuffs and other products before, during, and after the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, helping prevent price hikes.