640 firms earn quality certificates

Most of the recipients of the Vietnamese High-Quality Goods certificate are manufacturers of sauces, spices, confectionary, non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, jewellery, electrical and household equipment, dried foodstuffs, and instant foods. They could be named as confectionery maker Bibica Corporation, Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation, Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk), Thai Tuan Group Corporation, Sài Gòn Beer, Alcohol and Beverage Corporation (Sabeco).

They were chosen from 834 companies voted for by consumers in a three-and-half-month survey by the association, which directly interviewed 13,000 consumers in 12 provinces and cities.

This year the survey also got consumers’opinions online to compare with the direct survey results to increase objectivity and reliability.

Then, relevant agencies checked the information for transparency before identifying the 640 for giving the Vietnamese High-Quality Goods certification.

Vu Kim Hanh, the association’s chairwoman, said last year it created a new set of criteria for the food sector, “High quality Vietnamese goods - Integration Standards”, based on legal provisions for product quality.

She said 66 food businesses have received the “High quality Vietnamese goods - Integration Standards” certification.

The new standards are expected to make Vietnamese goods more competitive in both the domestic and export markets, she said.

This year the association would create a similar set of criteria for the non-food sector, she added.

The awards ceremony was attended by more than 600 delegates, including State officials, city and provincial leaders, representatives of international organisations and businesses.