The national payment service provider NAPAS, in collaboration with Ant International and Vietcombank, has announced the launch of cross-border QR code payment services between Viet Nam and China.
Under the arrangement, Chinese tourists can use the Alipay e-wallet, an Ant International product, to scan VIETQRGlobal codes and make direct payments at merchants within NAPAS’s network in Viet Nam.
Bilateral QR code payment transactions are processed via the connectivity infrastructure between NAPAS and Ant International, supported by Vietcombank’s clearing and settlement system, enabling direct transactions in both local currencies.
The rollout comes as China continues to be one of Viet Nam’s largest source markets for international tourists.
Cross-border QR payments enhance the visitor experience by offering a familiar payment method, while also enabling businesses in retail, services, and tourism to better tap into international customer flows.
Speaking at the event, Nguyen Quang Minh, Chief Executive Officer of NAPAS, said the connection allows Chinese tourists to enjoy a familiar, convenient, and secure QR code payment experience, just as they do at home, while also creating additional growth opportunities for Vietnamese businesses.
Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, noted that expanding cross-border payments not only serves tourists but also creates further opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to reach international customers.
According to NAPAS, in the near future the parties will complete the rollout of outbound payments from Viet Nam to China, allowing Vietnamese users to scan Alipay QR codes using local banking apps.
Once the two-way connection is fully established, the service is expected to significantly boost tourism and trade between the two countries.
Besides China, NAPAS has completed bilateral QR payment connectivity with Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, and continues to expand into other markets across the region.