Cross-border QR-code transactions by tourists from Southeast Asia and China have recorded strong growth in Vietnam, highlighting the increasing role of digital payments in the country's tourism and consumer sectors.
Speaking at a conference on cross-border QR payments on September 25, officials said the number of transactions made by visitors from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia through the VietQRGlobal system increased eightfold in the first eight months of the year compared with the same period in 2025.
Participants at the conference on cross-border QR payments on September 25. (Photo: Organising committee).
Southeast Asian visitors drive rapid growth
Pham Van Thuy, director-general of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, said payment convenience can directly influence travellers' spending decisions.
“When tourists do not need to exchange currency or carry large amounts of cash, they are more willing to make small purchases such as souvenirs, local specialties and travel-related services,” he said.
Cross-border QR payments also allow transactions to be settled between two local currencies through linked payment systems, reducing the need for intermediary foreign-exchange conversions.
Tran Van Thanh of Vietcombank said the bank has expanded cross-border payment services to more than 60 countries and territories. He added that QR payments can lower acceptance costs for merchants compared with some traditional payment methods.
According to figures presented at the conference, merchant fees for VietQRGlobal transactions are around 1.5 per cent of transaction value, compared with 2.4-3 per cent for some international cards issued outside Vietnam.
Data from the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) showed that during the first eight months of the year, the number of VietQRGlobal transactions made by visitors from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia increased eightfold year on year, while transaction value rose sixfold.
Vietnamese travellers visiting the three neighbouring markets also increased their use of the system, with transaction volumes rising fivefold and transaction values increasing fourfold.
Chinese visitors boost transaction growth
QR payment activity by Chinese visitors has also expanded rapidly following the integration of VietQRGlobal with payment platforms in China.
In the four months leading up to August, the number of transactions by Chinese tourists in Vietnam tripled, while transaction values increased fourfold compared with earlier periods.
The payment network has already established two-way connectivity with Singapore and currently supports inbound payments from South Korea to Vietnam. Further expansion into additional markets is under way.
Security concerns accompany convenience
Pham Anh Tuan of the State Bank of Vietnam described cross-border QR payments as an important component of the digital economy, enabling even small businesses to accept payments from international visitors without investing in complex payment infrastructure.
However, he noted that broader adoption also requires stronger safeguards against fraud and greater protection of personal data.
Ngo Tuan Anh of the National Cybersecurity Association urged users to verify the name of the recipient before confirming transactions and avoid installing applications from unverified sources.
According to information released at the conference, the SIMO risk-monitoring system had issued warnings to more than 5.1 million customers by the end of August. The system helped prevent nearly 1.7 million suspicious transactions with a combined value exceeding VND 5.7 trillion (USD 219.4 million).
The figures underscore both the rapid expansion of digital payments in Vietnam's tourism economy and the growing importance of security measures as cross-border transactions become more common.
