Vietnamese families trim meals as food prices rise

In Hanoi, households report noticeable increases in the cost of staple foods such as pork, green vegetables, fruit, and processed items compared with a year ago. One shopper, Nguyễn Thị Thu Hà, said, "Every item has risen a little, but together the monthly food bill goes up considerably."

To cope, families are shifting from imported or premium products to locally‑produced, seasonal foods. Nguyễn now prefers lychees, watermelon and bananas over imported grapes and apples, while another shopper, Phạm Lan Anh, says her family's food budget has risen by 10‑15 % and she plans weekly menus in advance to avoid overspending.

Market vendors note that customers are buying smaller quantities of meat and selecting cheaper vegetable varieties. Nutritionist Lê Thị Hải advises that while adjusting menus is sensible, essential food groups should not be cut excessively, recommending affordable protein sources such as eggs, tofu and fish.