The Prime Minister has instructed that prices and fees should not be increased.

Speaking at the Government's regular press conference on the afternoon of February 2nd, Minister and Head of the Government Office, Government Spokesperson Mai Tien Dung, stated that...On the same day, in his opening remarks at the regular Government meeting for January 2018, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated that the start of the new year was better than the same period in 2017, with strong impressions on several indicators, especially in major economic centers.

High consumer and societal confidence

Continuing the momentum of 2017, with the proactive implementation of Government Resolution 01, the socio-economic situation showed positive changes in the first month of 2018. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) increased to 53.4 points, the highest in ASEAN, higher than both South Korea and China, reflecting strong consumer and societal confidence.

Furthermore, the industrial production index increased by 20.9%, with the manufacturing sector growing by 23.8%, which served as a driving force for GDP growth. International tourist arrivals increased by 42%, reaching over 1.4 million. The number of newly established and reactivated businesses also increased significantly, with 10,800 new businesses established (compared to nearly 9,000 in the same period last year), and over 4,500 businesses resuming operations. Foreign exchange reserves increased to nearly $57 billion. Culture and social issues received special attention recently, especially in disadvantaged and disaster-stricken areas.

"The start of the new year is better than the same period in 2017, with strong impressions on several indicators, especially in major economic centers," Minister Mai Tien Dung emphasized. Furthermore,Because this year's Lunar New Year holiday doesn't coincide with January like last year, the first month of the year is when businesses focus on producing goods for the holiday, especially in the manufacturing industry. This is clearly reflected in the production index.Industry nationwide and in some localities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Nam, Vinh Phuc... Agricultural production also remained stable with positive results....

No increases in prices or fees.

The Prime Minister also noted that the 0.51% increase in consumer prices in January was a high year-on-year increase, requiring closer and more coordinated increases in electricity prices, education services, and healthcare services to ensure that the CPI increase remains below 4% (for the whole year). Therefore, the Prime Minister proactively requested all levels and sectors, especially major centers, to refrain from increasing related prices and fees for the time being. Thus, effective management of consumer prices is crucial, requiring more specific and fundamental solutions.

However, the Minister noted that there are some indicators that need attention, such as the low proportion of Vietnamese goods consumed compared to imported goods.

According to the government's assessment, Vietnam's economy is an open economy, with exports and imports/GDP reaching 190%, so any global fluctuations directly affect the Vietnamese economy, especially those of major economies like the US and China. Therefore, we cannot be complacent, overconfident, or satisfied with the results of January 2018.

Furthermore, with February being a month of severe cold weather, especially the month of the Lunar New Year, the Prime Minister requested that ministries, sectors, and localities pay more attention to the health of the people. This should be coupled with guidance on planting and livestock farming plans in the context of prolonged severe cold weather. This is a matter that the health and agriculture and rural development sectors must address and respond to as soon as possible.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, what are the requirements regarding the supply and demand of goods, ensuring social safety, traffic safety, and fire prevention? In particular, the Prime Minister noted that consumer prices in January 2018 increased by 0.51%, a high increase compared to the same period last year, necessitating closer and more coordinated adjustments in electricity prices, education services, and healthcare to ensure that the CPI increase remains below 4% as targeted for this year. Therefore, the Prime Minister requested that all levels and sectors, especially major centers, refrain from increasing related prices and fees for the time being. Consumer prices must be managed effectively with more specific and fundamental solutions.

Noting that many ministries, sectors, and localities have urgently begun implementing Resolution 01, the Prime Minister raised the question of which ministries and localities have yet to issue action plans in accordance with the spirit of Resolution 01, "because as we said, within 10 days of Resolution 01 being issued, all levels and sectors must have specific action programs to implement it."