As a result, HCMC’s CPI has increased by 15.02 percent since early this year, according to the municipal Statistics Office. The price of food went up by 18.14 percent and foodstuffs 20.15 percent for the year so far.

The November increase was attributed to a 4.56 percent surge in the price of food, which pushed the restaurant, beverages and food services up by 0.81 percent. Rice saw the highest rise of 5.72 percent. However, foodstuffs dropped slightly and the price of pork fell by nearly 3.15 percent.

** Meanwhile, Hanoi’s CPI in November edged up by 0.29 percent against October, 18.49 percent compared with the same period last year, and 16.36 percent since December 2010.

Nine out of 11 commodity groups saw slight price rises in November. Only transport and post and telecommunications decreased.

The highest increase (0.88 percent) was recorded in home equipment and appliances, followed by textiles, garments and footwear (0.75 percent).

Economic experts hold it that Hanoi’s CPI this month was mostly affected by food prices, particularly rice, which increased by VND500-1,000 per kilo.