Food and service prices are still inflated after the lunar New Year in Viet Nam due to an increase in demand and a lack of supply in big cities.

Nguyen Minh An, a housewife from Ly Nam De Street in Ha Noi, was astonished to know that the price of the food sold at markets were still double their pre-Tet (lunar new year) prices.

"Everything is still expensive, especially aquaculture products, which range between 180,000 dong (US$9.4) and 450,000 dong ($23.6) per kilo," An said.

"Food prices should have decreased because the new year has been over for four days," she added.

At big markets in Ha Noi, such as Hom, Buoi, Quang An, Hoe Nhai and Nhat Tan, the prices of aquaculture products, such as shrimp and crabs, are still two or three times higher than their usual. Large fish cost between 200,000 dong ($10.5) and 300,000 dong ($15.7), while shrimp and crab products cost up to 400,000 dong ($21) per kilo.

The price of beef is 180,000 dong per kilo and chicken, VND120,000 per kilo, which 50,000 dong more expensive than the pre-Tet prices.

The price of green vegetable and fresh fruits in HCM City's markets, such as Hoang Hoa Tham and Tan Binh, continue to be inflated as well.

The prices of cucumbers, tomatoes and cabbages are at least VND7,000 more expensive than the normal prices, while Canh oranges and red apples, which are popular fruits during the holiday season, are up to 100,000 dong ($5.2) per kilo.

According to sellers, the increased in demand for the fruits are a result of the produce beginning used as offerings at houses or in pagodas during Tet. The short supply of the fruit has been blamed on producers.

Daily services, which include parking fees, street food and currency exchanges, are much higher than the regulated prices.

The parking fees for small vehicles cost between 5,000 dong and 10,000 dong. The price for car parking is up to 50,000 dong, despite the fact that established regulations stipulate that the parking fee for motorbikes are 2,000 dong and 1,000 dong for bikes.

Do Gia Phan, deputy chairman of the Viet Nam Standard and Consumer Protection Association, said that the price hike occurs before and after Tet every year. The long holiday and the high rate consumption, which increased by 20 per cent this year, may have caused the current price hike.

According to experts, the prices for food will remain inflated for several days and then decrease at the end of the month.

Three inspection teams from the Ministry of Trade and Commerce have been established to monitor the price of goods sold at markets and grocery stores in Ha Noi and HCM City. The ministry will continue to provide guidance to relevant authorities in order to assure that there is a stable supply of goods.