In the first quarter, total retail sales of goods nationwide increased by 7%.

Specifically, according to the General Statistics Office, after the Lunar New Year, people's consumption demand returned to normal , total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue in March 2024 is estimated at VND 509.3 trillion, up 0.5% over the previous month and up 9.2% over the same period last year.

Of which, food and foodstuff group increased by 11.6%; household appliances, tools and equipment increased by 16%; garment increased by 10.1%; accommodation and catering services increased by 15.8%; tourism and travel increased by 66.1% compared to the same period last year.

In the first quarter of 2024, total retail sales of goods and consumer services revenue at current prices is estimated at VND 1,537.6 trillion, up 8.2% over the same period last year, excluding price factors.

In particular, retail sales of goods in the first quarter of 2024 are estimated at VND 1,190.3 trillion, accounting for 77.4% of the total and increasing by 7% over the same period last year (excluding the price factor, which increased by 4.5%).

Of which, the food and foodstuff group increased by 11.8%; household appliances, tools and equipment increased by 15%; clothing increased by 8%; cultural andeducational items increased by 17.7%. The means of transport group (excluding cars) decreased by 4.9%; the car group decreased by 27.8%.

Retail sales of goods in the first quarter of 2024 increased compared to the same period last year in some localities such as: Quang Ninh increased by 9.8%; Hai Phong increased by 9.7%; Khanh Hoa and Long An both increased by 9.1%; Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Can Tho all increased by 7%; Da Nang increased by 5.9%; Ho Chi Minh City increased by 5.8%; Hanoi increased by 4.7%.

Revenue from accommodation and catering services in the first quarter of 2024 is estimated at VND174.8 trillion, accounting for 11.4% of the total and up 13.4% over the same period last year. Revenue from tourism and travel in the first quarter of 2024 is estimated at VND14.1 trillion, accounting for 0.9% of the total and up 46.3% over the same period last year.

Transport activities in March 2024 decreased in passenger transport output compared to the previous month due to the decrease in people's travel demand after the Lunar New Year holiday. However, freight transport recorded positive growth as the demand for transporting goods for production increased and March had more working days than the previous month.

Source