Hanoi named most expensive city in Vietnam last year

A resident buys food in a supermarket in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - A recent report on the Cost of Living Index, published by the General Statistics Office, has revealed that Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, was the most expensive place to reside in the country in 2022.

Quang Ninh ranked second on the list of the top five most expensive cities and provinces, followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Meanwhile, Quang Tri was found to be the locality with the lowest Spatial Cost of Living Index in 2022, followed by Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, Soc Trang and Nam Dinh.

The Red River Delta retained its position as the most expensive region in the country, with the Northern Midland and Mountainous region and Southeast region following closely behind, according to the same report.

Explaining the living cost difference between the Southeast region and the Red River Delta region, the report said the abundant supply of goods in the former, which is the country’s leading industrial centre with the largest number of industrial and processing zones, helped to bring down the cost of living here compared to the latter.

The southeast region offers cheaper prices for garments, hats, and shoes; education; household equipment and appliances; medicines and medical services; food and catering services; and transport compared to the Red River Delta region.

However, prices for housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials; culture, entertainment, and tourism are higher in the southeast region.

The Mekong Delta region has the lowest cost of living, primarily thanks to the low prices of food and catering services. These prices are low due to the region's intensive farming methods and favourable soil and climate conditions for agricultural production.

Despite swift and unpredictable development in the global economy last year, the SCOLI index in 2022 in Vietnam did not change much compared to 2021, thanks in part to the Government’s effort to manage prices.

The inflation rate was 3.15%, meeting the National Assembly's target. Consumer goods are abundant with a perse distribution system, so the prices of goods and services in localities did not fluctuate much.

The SCOLI is a relative indicator that reflects the difference in consumer goods and service prices among localities and regions in a certain period.

The SCOLI index can be used as a reference for socioeconomic development policies to evaluate the results of poverty reduction policies.

Businesses can use the index to assess competitiveness in terms of prices, market share and product costs. In contrast, inpiduals can use it to negotiate wages and consider the possibility of migration between different regions.

Vietnam International Travel Mart Hanoi 2023 Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) Hanoi 2023 will take place from April 13 to 16 at the Cultural Friendship Palace and is expected to attract 60,000 visitors.

Tending daffodils is an elegant aspect of Hanoian culture Growing daffodils has always been a stylish tradition in Hanoi, but this hobby has become more common among flower lovers in the modern day.

36 Cat Linh - A notable addition to Hanoi office market in 2023 According to Savills latest market report, by the end of 2023, five new office projects will be launched in Hanoi, most of which are classified as grade A. 36 Cat Linh is one of these properties that is expected to be a notable addition to the Hanoi office market with high-quality finishes and cutting-edge specifications.

Grand Mercure Hanoi opening marks brand debut in the capital Accor is celebrating the opening of Grand Mercure Hanoi, a new premium hotel in which local Indo-Chinese style, Western neoclassical beauty, and world-class amenities blend harmoniously to reveal Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.