Vietnam expands cross-border QR payments for international tourists

Vietnam is expanding its cross-border QR payment capabilities, allowing international tourists to use familiar mobile applications from their home countries to pay at local businesses. Through the VietQR Global infrastructure, travelers from countries including China, Singapore, South Korea, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand can scan codes at restaurants, hotels, and shopping centers without needing to exchange physical currency or carry large amounts of cash.

The National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) serves as the national gateway, connecting domestic banks and payment intermediaries to international partners. This centralized approach standardizes technical requirements and reduces implementation costs. Transactions are processed directly in local currencies through the settlement infrastructure of the respective parties, which minimizes foreign exchange conversion steps and provides users with immediate visibility of exchange rates.

This digital integration coincides with a rise in international tourism to Vietnam, which saw approximately 13.9 million visitors in the first seven months of 2026. The expansion of digital payment methods is expected to create significant business opportunities for local enterprises and small merchants by facilitating smoother transactions for foreign visitors.