Attracting international tourists through QR payment.

Vietnam plans to expand cross-border payment connectivity using QR codes with a range of other markets after China and South Korea.

From the beginning of April 2026, Chinese tourists can use the Alipay e-wallet to scan VietQR Global codes at shops, restaurants, hotels, and tourist destinations throughout Vietnam. Simultaneously, the QR payment service between Vietnam and South Korea also allows over 115 million South Korean user accounts to use e-wallets or banking apps within the GLN International network to make payments at hundreds of thousands of acceptance points nationwide.

Sales increased sharply.

Transactions are processed in real time, ensuring speed and security, similar to the payment experience in the domestic markets of China and South Korea. The system allows direct payments in the local currencies of both countries and the Vietnamese Dong through the interconnected infrastructure between the parties.

According to preliminary statistics from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the Vietnam-China bilateral payment system, which was only launched at the beginning of April, has seen a significant increase in transaction volume. Previously, daily revenue was only a few hundred million dong, but now it has risen to billions of dong.

International tourists pay using QR codes at Ben Thanh Market (Ho Chi Minh City). Photo: QUANG DINH

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Payment Department of the State Bank of Vietnam, assessed that connecting cross-border QR payment with major markets such as China and South Korea brings many benefits to tourists, while also supporting trade and service transactions. "This year, Vietnam plans to continue expanding QR payment connectivity with Singapore, Taiwan (China), India, and Japan. 2026 will be a pivotal year for implementing bilateral payments with many major markets," Mr. Tuan stated.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy General Director of Vietnam National Payment Corporation (Napas), said that Napas has currently connected cross-border QR payment with Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia for both directions. It is expected that by the end of this year, a total of 7 international markets will be connected, with more than 20 domestic banks and payment intermediaries participating.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Huyen, a member of the Executive Board and Director of Retail Banking at Sacombank , said the bank has implemented QR Global in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and most recently in China and South Korea.

According to Ms. Huyen, this trend not only serves Vietnamese tourists traveling abroad but also opens up opportunities for the development of the ASEAN digital payment market, helping banks increase their foreign currency reserves, expand data exploitation, and analyze customer behavior.

Opportunities for businesses

According to a 2025 study by Visa and Mastercard on travel payment behavior, approximately 60% of travelers in Southeast Asia prefer using cards or e-wallets over cash, indicating a rapidly growing demand for convenient digital payment experiences. Meanwhile, a 2025 data reconciliation report between payment intermediaries and Vietnamese tourism authorities shows that businesses could lose approximately 15% of their potential revenue if they only accept cash payments, while around 65% of international travelers prefer mobile payments.

Kelvin Utomo, Head of Product and Solutions for Visa Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, noted that Vietnam is entering a period of strong growth in digital commerce, with a high level of readiness and confidence among consumers. This is one of the factors that differentiates the Vietnamese market from many countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Visa, three prominent trends are shaping the digital payment market in Vietnam. First, consumer behavior is shifting strongly towards digital and contactless payments. Second, the government and partners in the digital payment ecosystem are promoting various solutions to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially household businesses. Third, the demand for secure and seamless payment experiences, particularly cross-border and contactless payments via mobile phones, is increasingly prevalent. "Businesses need to view accepting digital payments not just as a cost, but as a necessary condition for growth in the context of rapidly changing consumer trends. Visa is also developing software-based payment solutions that allow businesses to use only smartphones without investing in additional specialized equipment. This approach helps reduce costs, especially suitable for small businesses and household businesses," said Mr. Kelvin.

A pilot program for payments using stablecoins could be implemented.

A representative from 9Pay Joint Stock Company, a payment intermediary and member of the Da Nang International Finance Center, stated that they are collaborating with Napas to expand cross-border payments using QR codes, allowing tourists from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and other countries to use their banking applications or e-wallets in their home countries to scan QR codes and make direct payments in Vietnam.

Notably, within the framework of a pilot program at the Da Nang International Financial Center, 9Pay is researching the implementation of stablecoin payments via QR codes. If effectively applied, this model could open up a more convenient payment method for tourists from Russia, India, or the Middle East, while also helping e-wallets and international financial platforms connect more deeply with the Vietnamese market. "The company's goal is to build a payment ecosystem that allows tourists to spend in Vietnam as conveniently as in their home countries, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism," said a representative of 9Pay.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/hut-du-khach-quoc-te-nho-thanh-toan-qr-196260529205435208.htm