The nationwide CPI in March 2026 increased by 1.23%.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2026 increased by 1.23% compared to the previous month; compared to December 2025, the CPI in March increased by 2.44%, and compared to the same period last year, it increased by 4.65%. The average CPI for the first quarter of 2026 increased by 3.51% compared to the same period in 2025; core inflation increased by 3.63%.

According to the General Statistics Office, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in March 2026 increased by 1.23% compared to the previous month due to higher domestic gasoline and diesel prices following global fuel price increases, along with rising construction material prices due to increased input costs and transportation expenses. Compared to December 2025, the CPI in March increased by 2.44% and by 4.65% compared to the same period last year, marking the highest year-on-year CPI increase for March in the past five years.

Overall, in the first quarter of 2026, the CPI increased by 3.51% compared to the same period last year; core inflation increased by 3.63%.

Of the 1.23% increase in the CPI in March 2026 compared to the previous month, 9 groups of goods and services saw price increases and 2 groups saw price decreases.

CPI growth/decrease rate in March 2026 compared to the previous month.

Nine groups of goods and services saw price increases, including: Transportation, which increased by 12.85% (contributing 1.28 percentage points to the overall CPI increase), mainly due to a sharp rise in gasoline and diesel prices.

The housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials group increased by 0.77% (contributing 0.17 percentage points to the overall CPI), mainly due to price increases in the following items: kerosene increased by 62.35%, gas increased by 5.56%; housing maintenance materials increased by 1.58%; housing repair services increased by 1.20%; rent increased by 0.94%; environmental sanitation services increased by 0.32%; household electricity services increased by 0.24%; and household water services increased by 0.13%.

The group of medicines and medical services increased by 0.38% (contributing 0.02 percentage points to the overall CPI increase). Specifically, the price index for medical services increased by 0.33% due to some localities implementing new medical service prices according to Resolution No. 335/NQ-CP dated October 17, 2025, of the Government on including management costs in the price of medical examination and treatment services. In addition, the price index for medicines increased by 0.49% compared to the previous month, mainly due to increased import costs of pharmaceutical raw materials and increased production and distribution costs.

The beverages and tobacco group increased by 0.37% due to the appreciation of the US dollar and rising input costs.

The beverages and tobacco group increased by 0.37% due to the appreciation of the US dollar and rising input costs.

The information and communication group increased by 0.18%; the other goods and services group increased by 0.13%. The education group increased by 0.1%; the clothing, hats, and footwear group increased by 0.01%.

Two groups of goods and services saw a decrease in price index: the culture, entertainment, and tourism group decreased by 0.05%, mainly due to declines in items such as ornamental plants and flowers; hotels and guesthouses, etc.

The food and beverage group decreased by 0.59%, contributing to a 0.21 percentage point decrease in the overall CPI.

The average CPI for the first quarter of 2026 is projected to increase by 3.51% compared to the same period in 2025. Specifically, housing, electricity, water, fuel, and building materials are projected to increase by 5.69%; food and catering services by 4.55%; other goods and services by 3.68%; education by 3.21%; beverages and tobacco by 2.80%; household equipment and appliances by 2.13%; culture, entertainment, and tourism by 1.83%; clothing, hats, and footwear by 1.63%; transportation by 1.07%; medicine and medical services by 0.89%; and information and communication by 0.2%.

According to the General Statistics Office, domestic gold prices fluctuate in the opposite direction to world gold prices. The gold price index in March 2026 increased by 1.54% compared to the previous month, mainly due to gold prices being adjusted upwards by businesses amidst domestic market supply and demand and investor sentiment, despite the decrease in world gold prices. Compared to the same period last year, the gold price index increased by 82.77%; compared to December 2025, it increased by 18.81%; the average for the first quarter of 2026, the gold price index increased by 82.70%.

Domestic US dollar prices fluctuate in line with global prices. The average USD price in the free market is around 26,315 VND/USD. The US dollar price index in March 2026 increased by 0.72% compared to the previous month; increased by 2.25% compared to the same period last year; decreased by 0.47% compared to December 2025; the average US dollar price index for the first quarter of 2026 increased by 2.58%.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/cpi-ca-nuoc-thang-3-2026-tang-1-23-743060.html