Survey showed a third of gasoline sold were out of spec

More than one-third of gasoline samples taken from retail outlets in Vietnam’s southern provinces do not meet the required product specifications, according to the Vietnam Standard and Consumer Association (VINASTAS). The southern provinces consume about three billion liters of gasoline annually. A survey conducted in August and September in five southern locations showed that up to 36.1% of the 105 gasoline samples taken did not meet the standards. Around three-quarters of the gasoline samples did not meet the specified octane levels. Samples were taken from Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Ben Tre, Kien Giang and Vung Tau provinces. (October 9, 2006)