Hanoi’s consumer price index (CPI) in March is estimated to increase by2.41 percent over last month and 13.56 percent compared to the sameperiod last year, the Hanoi Statistics Office (HSO) said.

This is the sharpest rise of Hanoi ’s CPI since February 2010 when the figure stood at 2.61 percent.

All 11 product categories registered price increases with five of themrising over 1 percent. The biggest price hikes in the month were seenin transportation services with 7.41 percent, following by housing,electricity, water, fuel and building materials with 3.19 percent, foodand restaurant services with 2.79 percent.

Other categoriesincluding cultural products, entertainment and tourism; telecoms;education; health care; home appliances; footwear and garment saw slightprice increase ranging from 0.02 to 0.86 percent over last month.

According to economic analysts, the rise in the month’s CPI wasexpected as electricity and fuel price hikes pushed up the prices ofessential products by an estimated 0.43 percent. The high CPI this monthwill create pressure on the country’s economy as well as the target ofcurbing the annual inflation rate at 7 percent.

Also duringthe month, gold price increased 5.27 percent against last month whilethe US dollar price was up by 3.11 percent month-on-month./.