Quality has become the major challenge facing all countries in the world including Vietnam as they move towards the 21st centiry. The vietnamese marketplace becomes freer while international and domestic business becomes more competitive, the only way for Vietnam to respond to the new business environment quickly and effectively is by learning from the experience of other countries in creating a quality culture. With these purposes, STAMEQ organised the First Vietnam Quality Conference (VNQC '95) held in Hanoi on August 8-11, 1995 in conjunction with the Fifth Asia Pacific Quality Organisation Core Council Meeting.

The Conference was honoured by the presence of leaders of the State and Government of Vietnam: Mrs. Nguyen Thi Binh, Vice President of SR of Vietnam, Prof. Acad. Dang Huu, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment. Participating in the Conference were about 50 international and foreign guests from UNDP, FAO, National Standards Bodies, Inspection Bodies, Representatives of foreign companies operating in Vietnam and approximately 600 representatives of public and private organisations. Mr. Eberhard Mollmann, President of ISO sent a congratulatory letter to the Conference. More than 30 statements and scientific papers divided into 5 sections were presented at the Conference by foreign and Vietnamese specialists. The Quality Conference was a great success creating a start for a major decade-long campaign throughout the country for products "Made in Vietnam". The Second Vietnam Quality Conference will be held in 1997 in Ho Chi Minh City.

On 25 August 1995, the Minister of Science, Technology and Environment signed Decision 1479/OD-TDC issuing an Ordinance on Accreditation and Certification. All issued documents contrary to the Ordinance have been deleted. The Ordinance consists of 6 chapters :

Chapter 1 : General specification
Chapter 2 : Confirmity certification of goods
Chapter 3 : Certification of quality systems
Chapter 4 : Registration of Assessors and Auditors
Chapter 5 : Accreditation of certification, inspection bodies and laboratories
Chapter 6 : Operation of certification systems

STAMEQ is the National Accreditation Body. The National Quality Council will be established by the Minister of MOSTE to advise STAMEQ on policy and accreditation activities.

Along with the newly issued standards on quality management and quality assurance, the Ordinance creates a solitary basis for accreditation and certification activities in Vietnam, confirming to international practices.