According to a survey by reporters at some traditional markets in Hanoi city, prices of many items continued to slightly increase compared to the end of March 2026.
In which, the group of fresh foods such as green vegetables and fruits recorded an increase of 20 to 50% depending on the type. Malabar spinach used to be only about 15,000 VND/2 bundles, now it has increased to 12,000 VND/bundle; chrysanthemum greens are only about 7,000 - 8,000 VND/bundle, now it has increased to 12,000 - 13,000 VND/bundle;... Beef prices also increased by an additional 10,000 VND to 300,000 VND/kg. Many items are still maintained at a high level due to increased input costs, forcing small traders to adjust selling prices and be more cautious in importing goods.
Although the increase is not large in each item, the cumulative increase significantly increases people's living expenses. Ms. Nguyen Thanh Van (Yen Hoa ward, Cau Giay district) said that going to the market recently has become more "brain-wracking" when having to carefully calculate between costs and nutrition for the family.
Each item increases a little, but the sum is not small. Apart from beans and eggs with little fluctuation, most items have increased. There are cases where prices do not increase directly, so sellers adjust the quantity" - Ms. Van shared.
Not only essential goods, the price level of food and transportation services has not returned to the level before the gasoline and oil prices increased. At some breakfast shops above, the price adjusted up from 5,000 - 10,000 VND/portion previously remained unchanged, although gasoline and oil prices have recently cooled down.
For small businesses, input cost pressure is still present. Ms. Bui Nhu Thom, a mobile food vendor on Nguyen Thi Due street, said that the selling price has increased by about 2,000 VND/product after the Lunar New Year and cannot be adjusted down.
Gasoline prices have decreased, but gas prices are still high, while raw materials such as cooking oil and spices have all increased, so I am forced to maintain the current price level" - Ms. Thom said.
In the field of passenger transport, ticket prices have shown signs of decrease, but are still higher than before. According to Ms. Vu Bao Linh (Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi), the Hanoi - Hai Phong route once recorded limousine ticket prices increasing to 280,000 - 300,000 VND/ticket during the peak period. Currently, the price has been adjusted down to about 260,000 - 280,000 VND/ticket, but is still higher than the initial publicly announced level of 220,000 - 50,000 VND/ticket.
Experts believe that the current price movement reflects the delay in the process of adjusting according to input costs. Besides energy factors, many other costs such as raw materials, logistics, labor... are still high, making it difficult for commodity and service prices to decrease immediately.
In that context, to stabilize the market, it is necessary to strengthen price transparency, control intermediary costs, and at the same time promote supply and market competition. On the consumer side, the trend of tightening spending, prioritizing essential goods and looking for alternative products at reasonable prices is becoming increasingly clear.
