A survey by the state-run General Statistical Office found that the richest 20 percent of households had incomes over eight times higher than those of the poorest 20 percent last year, state media reported.
Monthly inflation surged above 14 percent last month compared with the same month last year and was expected to rise further as shops hiked prices ahead of Tet.
The spiralling prices of food, gasoline and other basic goods have fueled labor unrest, especially around Ho Chi Minh City.
In the year's first 20 days, more than 25,000 workers walked off the job in nearly 40 strikes, demanding higher pay and better conditions, mostly at Taiwanese and South Korean owned textile and shoe factories, the Saigon Times reported.
As Vietnam has industrialized, change has not spared the village of Dong Ho where families in past centuries, when they were not doing artwork, worked farming rice.
"We no longer have enough land to cultivate," said Nang, the craftsman.
Former rice fields have become industrial parks, and Nang said that at age 60 he is too old, and lacks the qualifications, to work in the factories.
Making the votive paper models is now his best option.
"I have to do something to survive, to support my family," he said.
RSS