Vietnam has launched a QR payment system linking the Vietnamese dong and Chinese yuan, enabling real-time transactions for Chinese tourists. Effective April 3, Alipay users can make payments through VietQRGlobal across various merchants. This initiative aims to enhance tourism, support local businesses, and facilitate a more interconnected digital payment ecosystem.
Vietnam has officially expanded its cross-border digital payment capabilities with the launch of a new QR payment system linking the Vietnamese dong and Chinese yuan.
The initiative, jointly announced in Hanoi by the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), Vietcombank, and Ant International, enables real-time QR transactions through an integrated settlement infrastructure. The system is designed to provide Chinese visitors with a seamless, “home-like” payment experience while traveling in Vietnam.
Starting April 3, Chinese tourists can use Alipay to scan VietQRGlobal codes at merchants across the NAPAS network nationwide, including shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and tourist attractions. Transactions are processed through the systems of NAPAS, Ant International, and Vietcombank, allowing direct settlement in local currencies.
The rollout comes amid strong growth in bilateral tourism. In 2025, Vietnam welcomed over 21.2 million international visitors, with Chinese travelers accounting for nearly 5.28 million arrivals, or around 25 percent of the total. China remains one of Vietnam’s largest source markets, while Vietnam continues to rank among the top destinations for Chinese outbound travel.
Nguyen Quang Minh, CEO of NAPAS, described the partnership as a milestone in developing a cross-border payment platform that meets international standards in security, performance, and scalability. He noted that the system connects Vietnam’s national retail payment infrastructure with a global ecosystem serving more than one billion users, creating new opportunities for both tourism and local businesses.
Le Quang Vinh, CEO of Vietcombank, highlighted that cross-border QR payments are becoming a global trend. As the designated settlement bank, Vietcombank aims to enhance convenience for Chinese users while unlocking growth opportunities for Vietnamese merchants, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, emphasized Vietnam’s strong potential for QR-based payments, supported by rapid digital transformation and a dynamic tourism sector. He added that the initiative will help local businesses reach a broader international customer base while strengthening the country’s digital economy.
Looking ahead, stakeholders are working toward enabling two-way functionality, allowing Vietnamese travelers to use domestic banking apps to scan Alipay QR codes when visiting China. Once fully implemented, the system is expected to further boost tourism flows, trade, and regional economic integration.
NAPAS also plans to expand VietQRGlobal acceptance across additional markets. The system is already connected with several countries in the region, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and China, reflecting Vietnam’s push toward a more interconnected digital payments ecosystem.
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