Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng called for stronger checks on price declarations and listings, and action against hoarding and speculation, at an October 9 meeting, VnExpress reports. The instructions focus on essential goods and appropriate price reductions when input costs fall. Finance ministry figures put average nine-month CPI growth at 4.52% and core inflation at 4.26% year on year. Agencies must monitor supply and year-end price pressures; the meeting did not announce universal price caps.