Broader access to purchasing power
Access Purchasing is worth knowing before you plan the route. QR payments began to be rolled out in Vietnam around 2017 and have been gradually standardized since 2018. The launch of VietQR in 2021 established a common identity and connectivity standard, laying the foundation for the nationwide expansion of QR payments. Also in 2021, Vietnam’s QR payment system expanded beyond its borders when the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS).
QR payments began to be rolled out in Vietnam around 2017 and have been gradually standardized since 2018. For travelers, the practical note is how access purchasing fits into a realistic Vietnam day.
Planning a trip around access purchasing? V-International Business Consultancy Services can help shape a practical Vietnam itinerary.
Access Purchasing in Practice
The Thailand Switching Company (NITMX) announced the completion of a retail QR payment connection between Vietnam. Thailand, allowing Thai visitors to use their familiar banking applications to scan codes make payments at participating merchants in Vietnam. After nearly five years of building infrastructure implementation experience, Vietnam’s cross-border QR payment system – VietQR Global – is entering a new phase of expansion. With only 6.2 per cent of the potential market currently covered.
How to Place Access Purchasing in Your Route
Key figures include 154,000. These numbers show how access purchasing is unfolding in practice.
What to Expect on the Ground
NAPAS had completed retail payment connections with six Asian countries as of August – Thailand. Laos, Cambodia, Singapore, China, and South Korea – continuing to expand into other markets. Speaking at the “Promoting Cross-Border QR Code Payments: A New Impetus for Retail Tourism” forum. Jointly organized on September 25 by Tap chi Kinh te Viet Nam / Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy.
For deeper insights, explore our related coverage: U.S. Mission to Vietnam expands partnerships to build a skilled, future-ready workforce and WB outlines solutions to turn policy reforms into tangible.
Planning Notes
The Payment Department at the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), and NAPAS, Deputy Governor of the SBV Pham Tien Dung stressed that the issue is not simply about a technology or a QR code. But about how payment connections can create real value for the economy. Cross-border retail payments, he said, should be viewed more broadly – from connecting payment infrastructure to connecting people. Businesses, and from connecting systems to facilitating the flow of tourism, retail, trade, and services.
Nearby Ideas
This approach sets a new benchmark for the expansion of cross-border QR payments. Tourism is among sectors where the economic value of cross-border QR payment connectivity is most evident. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) at the Ministry of Culture. Sports Tourism, Vietnam welcomed nearly 21.2 million international visitors in 2025, up 20.4 per cent from the previous year.
Conclusion
Access Purchasing is a useful stop when you want quiet roads and time to look around. Keep the day flexible, and leave space for weather and slow meals.
For more information, visit Vietnam Ministry of Finance.
Source: https://en.vneconomy.vn/broader-access-to-purchasing-power.htm