HANOI, Jan 30 — Vietnam’s total retail sales of goods and services in January were estimated at 544.8 trillion VND (US$23.22 billion or RM98.46 billion), up 5.2 per cent from the previous month and 20 per cent as compared with the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
The office explained that the hike was attributed to the growing consumer demand as Tet (Lunar New Year), the biggest and longest festival in the Southeast Asian nation, fell in the month.
Of the total, the retail sales of goods were 435.4 trillion VND, a year-on-year rise of 18.1 per cent, with the biggest increase seen in garments (27 per cent) reported Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
The revenue from lodging and catering services reached 56 trillion VND, representing a year-on-year rise of 37.3 per cent. Notably, tourism raked in 2.2 trillion VND, a surge of up to 113.4 per cent from the corresponding time last year, with the highest increases recorded in such localities as Hai Phong (541.5 per cent), Da Nang (387.1 per cent), Tien Giang (380.2 per cent), Lao Cai (196.3 per cent), Hanoi (113.8 per cent) and Ho Chi Minh City (98.7 per cent).
The revenue from other services was valued at 51.2 trillion VND, up 16.8 per cent year-on-year.
The GSO said the purchasing power during the holiday rose about 8-10 per cent against other months and was equivalent to the same period last year, with the strongest growth seen in food, foodstuff, and essential goods.
Hoang Anh Duong, Deputy General Director of the Market Surveillance Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said market management forces have intensified inspections and supervisions, especially on e-commerce platforms and social networks, while coordinating with other competent agencies in controlling the quality of oil and gas products.
— Bernama
