Foreign tourists enjoy easier QR payments across Vietnam as cross-border network expands

The initiative is expected to enhance the travel experience, support local businesses, and strengthen the country's rapidly growing tourism sector.

A major milestone was reached on Thursday when the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam, and Weixin Pay (also known as WeChat Pay) officially announced the expansion of cross-border QR payment services between Vietnam and China.

The partnership enables more than one billion Weixin Pay users in China to make QR code payments at participating merchants across Vietnam.

Weixin Pay becomes the third Chinese payment platform to integrate with NAPAS' cross-border QR payment system, following UnionPay International and Alipay, further strengthening the digital payment ecosystem between the two countries.

Broader access for international visitors

During the 2026 Digital Finance Day, held in early June along Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, payment service provider Payoo and NAPAS introduced VietQRGlobal, a payment solution designed specifically for international travelers.

VietQRGlobal allows foreign visitors to use their domestic banking applications or e-wallets to scan QR codes and complete payments at merchants throughout Vietnam.

During the event, visitors witnessed a successful transaction using Alipay through a VietQRGlobal QR code on Payoo's payment acceptance system.

The approach mirrors the rapid adoption of VietQR within Vietnam over the past several years.

Rather than exchanging cash or relying on bank cards, international visitors can use payment applications they already trust and use regularly in their home markets.

The solution is particularly well suited to travelers from Asia, including China, South Korea, and Southeast Asian countries, where QR-based payments have become an integral part of everyday consumer transactions.

Vietnam has already established cross-border QR payment connectivity with China, South Korea, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore.

Visitors from Singapore, for example, can use LiquidPay, Aleta Planet, DCS DeCard, and Starryblu to scan VietQRGlobal codes at payment acceptance points nationwide.

Besides, Mastercard has been working with Vietnamese partners to widely introduce Mastercard Pay Local in Vietnam, according to Sharad Jain, country manager of Mastercard for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

The solution allows foreign visitors to scan domestic QR codes and pay using their existing Mastercard cards, making transactions more convenient while enabling merchants to leverage existing payment infrastructure.

According to Mastercard, linking global payment networks with Vietnam's domestic payment ecosystem reduces payment barriers for both travelers and businesses.

Supporting tourism growth

The expansion comes as Vietnam pursues ambitious tourism targets.

The country aims to welcome 25 million international visitors in 2026.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the country received 13.9 million international arrivals between January and July, representing a 13.8-percent year-on-year increase.

As digital transformation reshapes the tourism industry, the visitor experience now extends beyond sightseeing to include every stage of the journey, from booking services to making payments and interacting with local businesses, according to industry experts.

Payment infrastructure as driver of digital economy

Speaking at the launch ceremony for the Vietnam-China cross-border QR payment service on Thursday, Pham Anh Tuan, director of the Payment Department at the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), said payment systems have evolved beyond simple money transfers.

“In the context of a rapidly developing digital economy, payment is no longer merely a transaction,” he stressed.

“It has become infrastructure for the digital economy, connecting commerce, tourism, services, and international exchanges.”

The Vietnamese central bank will continue working with domestic and international partners to expand cross-border payment connectivity while ensuring safety, transparency, legal compliance, and tangible benefits for both businesses and consumers, Nhan Dan (People) newspaper reported, citing Tuan.