Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Starting today (December 2, 2025), Chinese tourists can directly use the familiar mobile payment app VIETQR Global to pay at shopping, dining, and tourist venues throughout Vietnam.
This news was announced at the "Vietnam-China QR Code Interoperability Cooperation Launch Conference" held in Hanoi, jointly held by Vietnam National Payments Company (NAPAS), UnionPay International (UPI), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and Vietcombank.
It is understood that various shops, shopping centers, restaurants, and retail systems (such as supermarkets under Central Retail, Highlands Coffee, and tourist attractions under Sun World) are ready to accept QR code payments from Chinese tourists. This service is expected to provide tourists with a "fast, convenient, and secure" payment experience, while helping Vietnamese businesses more effectively attract the large number of tourists from this important Chinese market.
This interoperability is the result of more than a year of technical cooperation between UPI and NAPAS. Previously, the two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2024, witnessed by high-level leaders of both countries.
According to the plan, the reverse payment channel will also be completed in early 2026. At that time, Vietnamese tourists will be able to use the applications of NAPAS member banks to make QR code payments in China, realizing two-way interoperability of QR code payments between the two countries, thereby creating a comprehensive cross-border QR code payment ecosystem covering the tourism, trade, and daily consumption needs of residents of both countries.
Wang Lixin, Vice President and General Manager of UnionPay International, stated at the launch ceremony that Vietnam is an important market for China in the fields of trade and tourism. UnionPay has already built a relatively complete acceptance network in Vietnam. Optimizing the cross-border payment experience will further facilitate economic and trade exchanges and cultural exchanges between China and Vietnam. UnionPay International will continue to cooperate with NAPAS to build a safer and more efficient regional payment ecosystem.
Nguyen Quang Minh, General Manager of NAPAS, emphasized that under the guidance of the State Bank of Vietnam, as the operator of the national retail payment infrastructure, NAPAS actively promotes international interconnectivity and implements cross-border payment solutions with countries in the region. This Vietnam-China QR code interoperability cooperation is the result of close collaboration between NAPAS, UPI, and related banks. It not only provides a seamless payment experience for people in both countries but also further strengthens financial connectivity, promotes local currency settlement, and boosts bilateral trade and tourism.
The official launch of the service today marks a crucial step forward in Vietnam-China payment interoperability, bringing greater convenience to Chinese tourists visiting Vietnam during the year-end peak season. (End)
