Vietnam’s annual inflation rate rose to 4.4% in April 2024, up from 3.97% in March, marking the highest rate since January 2023. The increase was driven mainly by the highest rise in food prices in eight months. Core inflation also edged up to 2.79% from 2.76%. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s trade surplus narrowed drastically to USD 0.68 bln in April 2024 from USD 2.66 bln a year earlier.