The growth of the retail sector was attributed to people’s rising demand for goods, food and foodstuffs on the occasion of Tet (Lunar New Year) Festival.

Revenue from the retail sales of food and foodstuffs increased by 8.33 percent over the previous month and by 6.46 percent over the same period last year.

The increase was seen in the sales of household utensils and equipment which rose by 4.09 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively; food and construction materials, 4.3 percent and 5.6 percent; automobiles of all types, 2.5 percent and 4.6 percent; and precious stones and metals, 7.2 percent and 9.9 percent. However, revenue from accommodation, catering and travel services decreased over the same period due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.