From office canteens, hu tieu, and pho to street-side coffee, price increases generally range from 2,000 to 5,000 dong per dish, with some outlets higher. After price hikes in April, in early May diners in Ho Chi Minh City continued to see familiar eateries raise prices. A resident, Mr. Cong Truong of Ho Chi Minh City, said the grilled chicken and hot pot restaurant in Hiep Binh Ward raised the price of grilled chicken by about 30,000 dong per portion, bringing it to 250,000 dong. Some fried and sautéed dishes remain at old prices but many other items have been adjusted. “Hu tieu, pho increased by 5,000 dong per bowl, and street coffee by about 2,000 dong per cup. The owner said this is due to higher input costs and transportation costs.” He questioned whether prices would revert when input costs ease, while incomes for many people have not improved notably. Not only casual eateries, but many outlets serving office workers have also started raising prices after a long spell of holding prices. At a lunch place on Vo Van Tan Street (Xuan Hoa Ward), the price per dish has risen from 49,000 dong to 55,000 dong. A staff member said price adjustments were unavoidable as ingredient costs continued to rise, “The restaurant has tried to hold prices for a long time but cannot bear the burden anymore.” The photo caption reads: “Grocery ...” Many owners admitted that price increases affect customer volume, especially as consumers tighten spending. However, if adjustments are not made, profits are almost non-existent, and at times losses are incurred to keep the business running. Rather than continuing to raise prices, some eateries are cutting operating costs to retain customers. A bánh canh restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City said it added 5,000 dong per bowl since the end of April due to higher input costs. It then switched from gas to electric stoves to save costs, with gas bills previously reaching nearly 18 million dong per month, but after the switch costs dropped to around 3 million dong, a nearly sixfold reduction. “If we do not cut operating costs, it is very hard to keep current prices,” the owner said. Since early April 2026, most eateries in Ho Chi Minh City have adjusted prices and there are no signs of prices falling back. Some places continue to raise slightly to maintain food quality and cover costs of ingredients, labor, and transportation.
