The total revenue from retail sales of consumer products and services in the first quarter of the year reached over VND1.7 quadrillion ($65.4 billion), a year-on-year increase of 9.9%, figures from the National Statistics Office show.

The retail sales of products amounted to over VND1.31 quadrillion ($50.4 billion), accounting for 76.8% of the total value and jumping 8.8% compared to the same period last year. That of food and foodstuffs surged 10.1%, household appliances and tools 6.3%, garment 6.9%, and cultural and educational products 13.3%.

In March alone, the revenue was estimated at VND570.9 trillion ($22 billion), up 10.8% year-on-year.

The retail sale increase was attributed to high consumption demand during the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival and holidays in the early year, according to the office. A rise in the number of foreign tourists to Vietnam also contributed to the growth of the trade and service sector.