Chinese tourists can make QR code payments in Vietnam from December 2

By VNA December 2, 2025 | 06:32 pm PT

Chinese tourists pose for photos near Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam's Cao Bang Province that borders China, October 2024. Photo by VGI

Chinese visitors to Vietnam can use their familiar mobile payment apps to scan VIETQR Global codes and make direct payments at shopping, dining and tourist locations nationwide from Dec. 2.

The initiative is expected to offer a faster, safer and more convenient payment experience, while helping Vietnamese businesses better tap one of their largest visitor markets.

The new service follows more than a year of technical coordination since UnionPay International (UPI) of China and the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) signed an MoU witnessed by high-ranking leaders of both countries in October 2024.

Under the plan, by early 2026, the reverse payment direction will also be completed, enabling Vietnamese travelers to use the apps of NAPAS member banks to scan QR codes for payment in China.

Once fully operational in both directions, the system will form a complete cross-border QR payment ecosystem that supports tourism, trade and consumer spending between the two nations.

Vice President and CEO of UnionPay International (UPI) Larry Wang said that Vietnam is a key market for China in both trade and tourism, and UnionPay has already established an extensive payment network in the country.

Enhancing cross-border payment convenience, he said, will further facilitate economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and Vietnam.

According to data from the General Statistics Office, China was the largest source of foreign visitors to Vietnam so far this year with 4.3 million arrivals.