HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – December 9, 2025 – In December 2025, UnionPay International (UPI) and the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) officially launched a pilot program for cross-border QR payments connecting China and Vietnam. The program aims to further enhance the mobile payment experience for Chinese tourists in Vietnam and promote stronger economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Earlier, in October 2024, UPI and NAPAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cross-border payment cooperation in the presence of leaders from both countries. In April 2025, UPI, NAPAS, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank, VCB) signed a four-party cooperation agreement in Hanoi, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting QR code payment connectivity between China and Vietnam this year. The launch of this pilot program marks an important milestone in strengthening cross-border payment links between both sides.
Immediately after the pilot program is activated, Chinese tourists can make payments at shopping malls, tourist attractions, restaurants, and retail stores in Vietnam by scanning merchants’ VietQR Global codes via the UnionPay app and other UnionPay partner banking apps, allowing them to enjoy a seamless, cashless payment experience similar to what they are familiar with in China.
According to the merchant acquisition plans submitted to NAPAS by participating organizations, more than 30,000 merchants are expected to accept QR payments by the end of 2025. In 2026, NAPAS plans to further expand participation to all its member institutions, including banks and local payment service providers, thereby broadening acceptance coverage nationwide.
In the near future, UPI and NAPAS will also enable Vietnamese users to scan UnionPay QR codes in China through NAPAS member banking apps. This will establish two-way payment connectivity and deliver a more seamless cross-border payment experience for residents and travelers from both countries.
Mr. Larry Wang, CEO of UnionPay International, stated: “Vietnam is an important destination for Chinese tourists and a key market for Chinese enterprises in international business. As economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries continue to deepen, connecting China–Vietnam payment systems will enhance convenience for consumers and promote regional financial cooperation.”
The project represents an important step in UnionPay’s ASEAN strategic plan to strengthen its cross-border payment network. UnionPay International, together with NAPAS, aims to build a convenient and secure payment ecosystem, improve the digital payment infrastructure of the ASEAN bloc, and support financial inclusion and regional connectivity.
The company issuing the information (source) is solely responsible for the content of this press release.
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Source: Vietnam Insider