Vietnam's consumer price index (CPI), a calculator for the inflation increase, is forecast to rise by 1. 32 percent in February over the previous month, reported the Vietnam General Statistics Office on Saturday.

The figure represents an increase of 7.02 percent over the same period last year, and a rise of 2.59 percent over last December, said the report.

Food and dining services posted the highest increase at 2.28 percent, compared to 2.11 percent for the same period last year. In a breakdown, food increased 3 percent, and out dinning, 1.85 percent.

Beverages and cigarette also rose markedly, by 1.5 percent, and garments and foot wear, which were much sought after during the traditional lunar holidays (from Feb. 9-18 ), inched up by 1.08 percent,.

Other commodities rose by less than 1 percent, including medicine and medical services.

Meanwhile, post and telecom group decreased by 0.03 percent from the previous month.

Although not calculated in the CPI, the U.S. dollar price rose by 0.03 percent, while gold prices decreased by 0.43 percent, compared to the previous month.

Capital Hanoi and southern Ho Chi Minh City posted a CPI increase of 1.3 percent and 1 percent, respectively, in February.