Thailand Steps Up with South Korea and Others to Transform Asia’s Digital Tourism Payments as Vietnam Pushes Beyond 6% QR Acceptance Growth

Following the successful adoption of QR code payments in Vietnam’s tourism and business sectors, Vietnam is expanding its QR code payment connections to other nations. QR code payments are nowone step closer to becoming the standard method of payment for tourists. Thailand and South Korea are two of the first countries to integrate Vietnam’s QR code payment system. Vietnam’s digitized payment system is improving the country’s tourism industry, especially by providing an improved and easier way for international tourists to make payments. International QR payment acceptance is still low throughout Vietnam. Local businesses and the tourism industry of Vietnam can greatly benefit if more international QR payment acceptance systems are adopted.

At present, only around 154,000 out of more than 2.5 million domestic payment points across Vietnam support VietQR Global, representing approximately 6 per cent of the country’s total payment network. The expansion of this system has become a key focus as Vietnam aims to make payments more convenient for international visitors and help businesses benefit from rising global tourism demand.

Vietnam Strengthens Cross-Border QR Payment Network for Tourism Growth

Efforts to promote cross-border QR payments are being advanced through cooperation between Vietnam’s banking sector, payment networks and economic organisations. The initiative focuses on connecting Vietnam’s payment infrastructure with international systems, allowing travellers to use familiar banking applications and digital payment methods while visiting the country.

The expansion of bilateral QR payment links with regional markets and major international partners is expected to provide greater convenience for both Vietnamese travellers overseas and foreign visitors arriving in Vietnam.

For tourists, the benefit is simple and practical. Visitors can make payments through digital platforms they already understand instead of relying mainly on cash exchanges or unfamiliar payment methods. For businesses, especially small retailers and household enterprises, wider QR payment acceptance can create easier access to international customers.

The development of cross-border payment systems is also being linked with broader economic activities, including tourism, trade, investment and consumer spending between Vietnam and international markets.

Digital Payments Become Essential for International Tourist Experiences

The tourism industry is increasingly dependent on smooth and reliable payment solutions. International travellers today expect quick transactions, transparent pricing, secure systems and convenient payment options throughout their journey.

Visitors often need to make payments across multiple tourism services, including hotels, transportation providers, attractions, retail stores, local businesses and entertainment venues. A seamless payment experience can influence visitor satisfaction and overall spending behaviour.

As Vietnam welcomes more international tourists, digital payment accessibility has become an important part of improving destination competitiveness. If travellers experience difficulties during transactions, they may reduce spending or face inconvenience during their stay.

Therefore, payment infrastructure is no longer only a financial service issue. It has become closely connected with tourism performance, visitor confidence and destination reputation.

For businesses, adopting cross-border QR payments provides an opportunity to attract more international customers without requiring complex technology upgrades. Existing payment systems can be enhanced with international QR identifiers, allowing smaller businesses to participate in the global tourism economy.

Strong Regional Demand Creates Opportunity for VietQR Global Expansion

VietQR Global has been positioned as a key solution for expanding international payment connectivity. The system functions as an identifier that enables cross-border QR transactions and supports easier digital payments between countries.

Research from the payment sector indicates that QR payment familiarity is already high among tourists from the Asia-Pacific region. Around 85 to 88 per cent of visitors from this market are familiar with QR payment methods, creating strong potential for wider adoption in Vietnam.

This trend reflects the rapid growth of digital payment habits across Asia, where mobile banking applications and QR transactions have become common tools for everyday spending.

Since 2021, Vietnam’s payment infrastructure has established connections with several international markets, including China, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos. Further expansion is planned towards additional Asia-Pacific markets such as Japan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

These connections are expected to strengthen regional tourism cooperation while supporting more efficient payment flows between travellers and businesses.

Small Businesses Set to Benefit From Global Tourist Spending

One of the main objectives of expanding cross-border QR payments is to support smaller businesses that serve international visitors.

Many tourists spend money beyond major hotels and shopping centres. Local shops, transport providers, craft businesses, attraction operators and family-run establishments also benefit from international tourism activity.

However, smaller businesses often face challenges when accepting foreign payment methods. Cross-border QR solutions can reduce these barriers by providing a simple and accessible way to receive payments from overseas visitors.

Greater participation from local businesses could help distribute tourism revenue more widely across communities while encouraging more enterprises to engage with international markets.

For travellers, this means more places where they can make secure digital payments. For businesses, it creates opportunities to increase sales and attract customers from different countries.

Vietnam’s Major Tourism Markets Drive Need for Better Payment Solutions

Vietnam’s international tourism growth is supported by visitors from key markets across Asia. China, South Korea, Japan, India, Singapore and Southeast Asian countries remain important sources of arrivals.

China recorded millions of visitors to Vietnam in recent years, while South Korea has also remained one of the country’s largest tourism markets. India has emerged as another market with significant growth potential.

Tourists from these markets often have strong familiarity with mobile payment technologies. Providing payment systems that match their expectations can improve convenience and encourage higher spending during their visits.

International visitors typically require payment options for accommodation, transport, shopping, attractions, local experiences and premium services. They also expect clear pricing, transaction security and reliable support if payment problems occur.

The expansion of VietQR Global is therefore being viewed as a strategic step to modernise Vietnam’s tourism ecosystem and create a more visitor-friendly environment.

Cross-Border QR Payments Could Reshape Vietnam’s Tourism Economy

Vietnam’s move towards wider cross-border QR payment acceptance reflects the changing nature of global travel. As tourists increasingly depend on digital solutions, destinations that provide convenient payment experiences gain an advantage in attracting and retaining visitors.

Expanding VietQR Global beyond major payment locations and into smaller businesses could create a stronger connection between international travellers and local economies.

The development of secure, affordable and accessible digital payment infrastructure will remain an important factor in Vietnam’s tourism growth strategy. By combining technology with tourism services, Vietnam is working towards a more connected travel environment where visitors can explore, spend and experience the country with greater ease.