Hanoi (VNA)ಌ – Vietnam’s total retail sales of consumer goods and services saw a year-on-year increase of 8.7% to 3.6 trillion VND (143.3 million USD) during January – July, the General Statistics Office (GSO) said.

Revenue from retail sales of goods was estimated at 2.8 trillion VND, accounting for 77.3% of the total and up 7.4% year-on-year. Sales of food and foodstuffs rose by 10.7%, household appliances and tools 11.1%, garment 9.1%, vehicles (except cars) 3.4%, and cultural and educational products 11.2%. In July alone, the total retail sales of consumer goods and services reached 528.3 trillion VND, surging 9.4% compared to the same period last year. Localities posting an increase in the retail sales of goods in January-July included Quang Ninh (10.2%), Da Nang (7.8%), Can Tho (7.6%), Hanoi (6.6 %), and Ho Chi Minh City (6.3%). Revenue from accommodation and catering services totaled 419.2 trillion VND, up 15.2% year-on-year, while tourism and travel services earned 35.2 trillion VND, rising 31.8%. The GSO said favourable visa policies and tourism stimulus programmes have proven effective, helping lure nearly 1.15 million international visitors in July, up 10.9% year-on-year, and nearly 10 million in the seven months, up 51%. Strong rise in tourism revenue was seen in several localities during January-July, including HCM City (42.2%), Da Nang (38.6%), Can Tho (33.7%), Hanoi (29.7%), Quang Ninh (21%) and Binh Duong (18.5 %). Meanwhile, revenue from other services stood at 370.2 trillion VND, a year-on-year rise of 9.4%. To stimulate consumption, localities are stepping up the implementation of trade promotion solutions. The Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade has organised the July Sale Promotion Fair from July 26-30 with discounts of up to 100%. Visitors to the event can sample goods and take part in various gameshows and lucky draw activities, which aimed at stimulating demand and offering opportunities for them to experience and purchase quality products at preferential prices. In HCM City, from the beginning of August, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade will organise mobile sales trips to serve low-income workers in industrial parks and export processing zones - the group of customers who have little opportunity to regularly access shopping in supermarkets, where major promotional programmes take place. To ensure the supply of essential goods and boost the domestic market in the remaining months, the GSO suggested the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) further review, amend and perfect legal documents regarding state management of the domestic market. The MoIT should continue its coordination with other ministries, agencies and localities in monitoring market developments, and providing consultations in price management, it said./.