Prices go up 1.31 percent in HCM City

HCM City (VNA) - The consumer price index in the southern economic hub Ho Chi
Minh City increased 1.31 percent against last month, according to Du Quang Nam ,
Head of the municipal Statistics Office.

The index has risen by an aggregated 1.35 percent in the first two months of this
year, compared to 5.18 percent in the same period last year.

Of the commodities, food and restaurant services rose by 1.85 percent and housing
and construction materials, 1.37 percent, over January.

Drugs and health service saw no change, while culture, sports, entertainment and
tourism services were cheaper d by 1.2 percent.

Weak demands due to consumers tightening of spending as a result of the world
economic crisis, coupled with the city's efforts in price control, have kept the
price hike down.-Enditem