HANOI, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The consumer price index (CPI) of Vietnam increased 0.51 percent in January against December 2017, announced the country's General Statistics Office on Monday.

The index posted a year-on-year increase of 2.65-percent. Of the 11 items in the CPI calculation basket, prices of 10 advanced, while only one witnessed marginal decline compared to the previous month.

In particular, pharmaceuticals and healthcare service recorded the largest gain of 1.83 percent as nine provinces and cities raised hospital fees, tailed by transportation with a 1.17-percent growth due to higher prices of petrol and train tickets.

Postal and telecommunications charges dropped 0.09 percent against December 2017.

Prices of some goods such as building materials, drinks and cigarettes, and transport charges tend to increase before Tet (Lunar New Year holiday) which falls in mid-February.

In 2017, Vietnam's CPI advanced 3.53 percent compared to 2016, far below the 4-percent target set by the country, said the office.