According to the 2026 Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) Index, released by UNIDO at the Global Quality Forum held in Vienna, Austria, from November 4 to 6, Viet Nam scored 52.8 points, ranking 47th among 170 countries and territories assessed.
Developed by UNIDO and first published in 2022, the QI4SD Index measures the development of national quality infrastructure systems and their capacity to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is based on 37 indicators across five pillars: standardisation, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment and policy.
Quality infrastructure refers to the system of organisations, regulations, standards, procedures and technical services that ensures products and services meet quality, safety and environmental requirements. It provides a common framework for measurement, inspection and certification.
In the 2024 assessment, Viet Nam scored 51.2 points, ranking 42nd among 155 countries and territories. Although its score rose to 52.8 in 2026, its ranking fell to 47th as the assessment expanded to cover 170 countries and territories. However, changes in the country coverage, indicators and assessment methodology mean that the overall scores from the two editions cannot be directly compared as an absolute measure of progress.
To identify substantive improvements, UNIDO this year conducted its first analysis of progress between assessment cycles using a harmonised set of indicators, methodology and data, known as the Harmonised QI4SD Index. This approach highlights changes across individual components of quality infrastructure rather than relying solely on overall rankings.
Viet Nam was selected by UNIDO as one of the countries demonstrating significant improvements in quality infrastructure during 2024-2026, alongside Colombia, Iran, Nigeria and Uzbekistan.
A representative of the National Committee for Standards, Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ) under the Ministry of Science and Technology described UNIDO's recognition as a positive signal for the country's recent efforts, highlighting the importance of coordinated investment in standardisation, metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment capabilities.
The 2026 QI4SD results not only recognise Viet Nam's progress but also underscore the need to translate improvements in quality infrastructure capabilities into tangible benefits for businesses, people and the economy.
Quality infrastructure is not merely a tool for product control; it also helps boost productivity, improve production efficiency and expand opportunities to participate in global value chains.
