This is the first time a Vietnamese enterprise has won the IAPQA for large service firms which provide high quality public utility services with advanced science and technology application. The IAPQA was founded by the Asia Pacific Quality Organisation (APQO) in July 1999. The annual awards aim at encouraging businesses to improve their quality and competitiveness. Earlier, Busadco won the 2011 National Quality Awards - the Gold Award and was nominated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to join the 2012 IAPQA. Winners were evaluated under seven criteria set by the APQO, including leadership; strategic planning; customer focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; workforce focus; process management; and operational results.