QRGlobal enhances the payment experience for international tourists visiting Vietnam

Vietnam's tourism industry is recovering strongly and aiming for sustainable growth. Cashless payment experiences have become a crucial factor determining international tourist satisfaction. The need to exchange currency, carry large amounts of cash, and other payment barriers have always been inconvenient for foreign visitors.

The introduction of QRGlobal – a cross-border QR payment solution – is contributing to solving this problem, while also opening a new chapter for the payment ecosystem and the Vietnamese tourism industry.

1. What is QRGlobal?

QRGlobal or VietQRGlobal, is a cross-border QR payment system developed by the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) in collaboration with domestic banks and international financial institutions.

This solution allows international tourists to use their home country’s banking or e-wallet applications to scan QR codes and make payments directly in Vietnam, similar to how Vietnamese consumers use VietQR today.

In essence, QRGlobal acts as a bridge that connects Vietnam’s payment infrastructure with QR payment systems from other countries.

2. How does QRGlobal solve key challenges for Vietnam tourism?

2.1. Reducing reliance on cash

For many international visitors, currency exchange is both inconvenient and potentially risky. QRGlobal enables secure, cashless payments, allowing tourists to travel more comfortably without carrying large amounts of cash.

2.2. Familiar and easy-to-use payment experience

Tourists can pay using their familiar banking apps from home, without downloading new applications or completing complex registration processes. This convenience is especially beneficial for senior travelers and group tours.

2.3. Enhancing Vietnam’s image as a modern destination

By adopting cross-border QR payments, QRGlobal helps position Vietnam tourism as modern, tech-savvy, and aligned with global cashless payment trends, enhancing the country’s attractiveness to international travelers.

3. Benefits for tourism businesses and destinations

QRGlobal delivers value not only to tourists but also to businesses operating in the tourism sector:

• Hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets can more easily serve international customers.
• Reduced cash handling costs and improved transaction transparency.
• Expanded access to international tourist markets, especially from China and ASEAN countries.
• Stronger support for local tourism economies, particularly in key destinations.

4. QRGlobal and the future of Vietnam tourism payments

In Vietnam’s tourism development strategy, digital transformation and cashless payments are core pillars. QRGlobal is more than a technical solution - it serves as a foundational payment infrastructure supporting:

• Smart tourism
• Smart cities
• Digital service ecosystems for international visitors

As QRGlobal continues to expand connections with more countries, it will help enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam tourism, especially as neighboring destinations accelerate digital transformation.

5. QR Payment Solution for International Tourists in Vietnam by 9Pay

9Pay is one of the pioneering payment intermediaries to integrate QRGlobal, delivering a modern cross-border QR payment solution that meets the growing demand for payments by international tourists in Vietnam as tourism and trade continue to recover strongly. By connecting to the QRGlobal standard, 9Pay’s payment ecosystem enables merchants such as retail stores, restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, and local service providers to conveniently serve foreign visitors through fast, secure, and cashless QR code payments.

9Pay’s cross-border QR payment solution helps bridge payment barriers between countries, allowing international tourists to use their familiar payment applications from their home markets to make direct payments in Vietnam. This not only enhances a seamless and convenient payment experience for travelers, but also supports Vietnamese businesses in optimizing operations, reducing reliance on cash, and expanding access to international customer segments.

As a pioneer in QRGlobal integration, 9Pay reaffirms its commitment to partnering with businesses to deploy payment solutions for international tourists, contributing to the acceleration of digital payments, strengthening competitiveness, and fostering the development of a modern, internationally integrated payment ecosystem.

6. Future outlook

Currently, VietQRGlobal has been deployed with several international markets (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) and is set to expand further. In the future, once two-way QR payment connectivity is fully implemented, Vietnamese travelers will also be able to use QR payments abroad via their domestic banking apps, creating a truly comprehensive cross-border payment ecosystem.

This development will not only benefit the banking sector but also provide a strong boost for Vietnam tourism’s deeper integration with regional and global markets.

QRGlobal is steadily enhancing the payment experience for international tourists visiting Vietnam, contributing to a more modern, convenient, and traveler-friendly tourism environment. Within the broader digital transformation of Vietnam tourism, QRGlobal is not just a payment solution - it is a vital component helping Vietnam stand out as a welcoming destination in the global tourism landscape.