From out-of-market vegetables to CPI
The price heat is starting to show right from essential items at traditional markets. In Hanoi, the price of green vegetables increased by 5,000 - 10,000 VND/kg compared to normal days after the recent storm and flood in the Northern region. Ms. Thu Van - owner of a vegetable shop in the Vong village gate area (Cau Giay ward, Hanoi) said: "The increase in rice this time is not only due to floods but also because of the end of the crop. Eggs and meat have increased, but green vegetables have increased the most". Ms. Van predicted. "Normally, it increases every Tet holiday, but this year it can increase more because taxes are tightened, especially the information that officials and civil servants may have their salaries increased from the beginning of 2026" - she said.
Meanwhile, in Ho Chi Minh City, supermarkets and retailers said that many suppliers have begun to "incite" price increases for the 2026 Lunar New Year season, with a common adjustment of 5 - 10%, even 15% for the group of imported goods or USD-dependent raw materials.
The report also clearly states: Prices of fresh, dried and processed vegetables increased by 4.50%; prices of fresh, processed fruits increased by 0.43%; prices of eggs increased by 0.37%; prices of processed seafood increased by 0.36%; prices of fresh seafood increased by 0.33%; prices of poultry increased by 0. 30%; tea, coffee, cocoa increased by 0. 40%; cakes, jams, candy increased by 0.39%; sugar, honey increased by 0.31%; milk, butter, cheese increased by 0. rest; spices increased by 0.14%...
Prof. Dr. Ngo Tri Long - an economic expert - analyzed: "In recent years, we have issued many solutions to stabilize the market, avoiding shocking price increases at the end of the year. This year, all solutions need to be more meticulous with information on increasing basic salaries for cadres and civil servants. If there is no preparation, when prices increase abnormally, especially for essential goods, the salary increase will not have much meaning".
Need for a comprehensive solution
At the end of September 2025, at a meeting with voters of 11 wards of Hanoi City before the 10th Session of the 15th National Assembly, General Secretary To Lam raised the issue: What is the salary level to maintain labor capacity, what is the salary level for retired cadres.
In front of voters, the General Secretary said: "This must have a roadmap and calculations. While requesting the Government to manage the macro economy and manage prices, do not let "salary increase but price increase", the actual life of the people does not meet the requirements. Sometimes I hear the policy of salary increase, but in the market, prices have increased.
According to calculations, from November to after Tet, total consumer demand often increases by 15 - 20% compared to the middle months of the year. Highly consumed items include: Candy, meat, wine, gifts, household appliances, tourism and transportation services. When purchasing power increases rapidly, businesses often tend to adjust prices to offset costs and optimize profits.
In addition, the psychological factor of expecting prices to increase also contributes to the effect of "self-pushing prices". Consumers tend to buy and store early, causing short-term demand to increase sharply.
Economic expert Ngo Tri Long analyzed: The information about increasing basic salary from January 1, 2026 will be a factor that has a double impact on consumer prices at the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026. However, if there is flexible management and coordination between monetary and fiscal policies, increasing basic wages will create momentum for growth, not cause inflation. The problem is to avoid the "wage increase - price increase - salary increase" chain reaction. Controlling expectations is the key, said Mr. Long.
This expert further analyzed: To make the basic salary increase policy effective and not become an inflationary trigger, it is necessary to synchronously implement many groups of solutions such as proactively approving supply and reserves of essential goods right now; The Market Management Department needs to strengthen inspection of speculation and hoarding, strictly handle acts of taking advantage of salary increases to increase prices unreasonably. At the same time, transparent information and communication work on price situation must be promoted, helping people feel secure, not buying and storing; Campaigans like "Vietnamese Tet - Vietnamese goods" need to be replicated".
Ensuring the supply of essential goods stabilizes the market
On November 4, the Government issued Resolution No. 86/NQ-CP on implementing key tasks in the last months of 2025. In the Resolution, the Government emphasized the requirement: " Proactively grasp the situation and have appropriate and effective solutions to stabilize the market, especially essential goods, ensure supply, do not let goods lack or increase prices suddenly". At the same time: "Promoting the implementation of the Campaign "Vietnamese people prioritize using Vietnamese goods", domestic consumption stimulus programs, bringing Vietnamese goods to rural areas, mountainous areas, islands... especially during the New Year and Lunar New Year".
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien has requested the Departments of Industry and Trade of provinces and centrally run cities in the last months of the year to have plans to prepare goods sources and a plan to implement market stabilization work to ensure supply of goods, contribute to ensuring social security and controlling inflation.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also requested manufacturing enterprises to increase production capacity to ensure adequate supply of goods to localities. In particular, there is a plan to produce and supply goods for increased demand at the end of the year and the Lunar New Year 2026.
