A new service has launched in Vietnam that will significantly simplify life for Chinese tourists. Now they don't need cash – they can simply open their familiar mobile app and scan the VIETQR Global. The project was launched jointly by NAPAS, UnionPay, Vietcombank, and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
QR code payment is already working in major chains and popular locations: Central Retail supermarkets, Highlands Coffee shops, Sun World parks, as well as shops, cafes, and tourist spots connected to the system. The plan is to cover about 30,000 points of sale by the end of 2025.
The next step is ahead: Vietnamese travelers are also expected to be able to pay for purchases in China by scanning UnionPay QR codes through their bank apps in early 2026.
According to UnionPay Vice President Larry Wang, the expansion of QR payments will strengthen trade and tourism ties and make travel between countries easier.
Work on the service began in 2024, and after a year of technical preparation, it became available to users.
The launch proved to be very timely: the Chinese remain the largest group of foreign tourists in Vietnam – about a quarter of the total flow. 4.3 million people have arrived this year alone, and convenient QR payments will significantly simplify their travels.
Full two-way connection will make payments faster and more convenient – for both tourists and businesses.