Information on the International Financial Centre of Vietnam (IFC) in Da Nang

The establishment of the International Financial Centre of Vietnam (IFC Vietnam), with a strategic focus on Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, is opening a new chapter for Vietnam’s finance and technology sectors.

1. International Financial Centre of Vietnam (IFC Vietnam) in Da Nang

On 21 December 2025, at the Government Office, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the official conference announcing the establishment of the International Financial Centre of Vietnam (IFC Vietnam), located in two main cities: Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. This marked the first time Vietnam formally named and implemented a financial centre oriented toward international standards.

The centre is organized under a “one centre – two destinations” model, aiming to connect Vietnam’s domestic financial market with regional and global markets. The objectives of IFC Vietnam extend beyond traditional financial activities such as banking, investment, and insurance, to include:

• Digital finance
• Financial technology (Fintech)
• Green finance and sustainable finance
• Electronic and cross-border payments
• Capital attraction and investment promotion
• Sandbox mechanisms for piloting new financial models

The formation of IFC Vietnam enhances the country’s position on the regional financial map, while creating a flexible, transparent policy-testing environment aligned with international best practices.

2. How does IFC Vietnam operate?

IFC Vietnam operates under a specialized model, distinct from conventional financial markets, designed to facilitate innovation and international integration. Within the IFC framework, financial activities are subject to more flexible legal mechanisms, allowing the testing of new financial models, products, and services while remaining under state supervision.

A notable feature is the preferential tax and financial incentive policies for enterprises operating within the IFC. According to policy orientation, businesses may enjoy corporate income tax exemptions or reductions for up to the first 30 years of operation, with tax rates significantly lower than standard levels. In addition, enterprises benefit from tax incentives related to investment, research, and development in the finance and technology sectors. These incentives help reduce operating costs, increase reinvestment capacity, and encourage long-term, high value-added projects.

All IFC activities are coordinated by a dedicated governing authority, which serves as a bridge between state regulatory bodies, domestic enterprises, and international financial institutions. As a result, participating enterprises can operate within a “safe regulatory sandbox”, ensuring compliance with Vietnamese laws while enabling rapid innovation, technology experimentation, and effective international collaboration.

3. Development orientation of IFC Vietnam in Da Nang

The establishment of the International Financial Centre of Vietnam (IFC Vietnam), with IFC Da Nang as a key component, not only represents the development of a new financial model but also creates profound impacts on the national financial and economic system, while opening significant opportunities for businesses and international investors.

Unlike Ho Chi Minh City, which focuses strongly on capital markets and traditional finance, IFC Da Nang is oriented toward becoming a hub for:

• Fintech and digital payments
• Policy sandbox experimentation
• High-tech financial services
• Support for fintech and financial technology startups

This strategic positioning creates complementarity rather than competition between the two centres within IFC Vietnam.

4. 9Pay - Proud Official Member of IFC Da Nang

The participation of 9Pay as a member of IFC Da Nang carries significant meaning for both the company itself and Vietnam’s broader financial ecosystem.

4.1. Who is 9Pay?

9Pay is one of the leading payment intermediaries and fintech companies in Vietnam, operating in the finance–technology sector. 9Pay is licensed by the State Bank of Vietnam to provide payment intermediary services under License No. 60/GP-NHNN.

9Pay’s digital financial ecosystem is designed to provide comprehensive support for both domestic and international enterprises through a wide range of products and services, including:

• Enterprise payment solutions: payment gateway, payment links, collection and disbursement services, global QR payments
• Cross-border payment solutions
• E-wallet services
• Bank transfer notification speakers (supporting cashless payments)

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh visits the 9Pay office at IFC Da Nang.

4.2. The role of 9Pay as a member of IFC

As a participant in IFC Da Nang, 9Pay plays an important role in:

Developing and implementing payment models aligned with the IFC framework, enabling domestic and international users to make payments for goods and services in Vietnam in a legal, secure, and transparent manner.

Piloting innovative payment solutions in line with the IFC sandbox orientation, flexibly combining online and offline models while maximizing the use of 9Pay’s existing payment infrastructure.

Expanding cooperation with domestic and international partners and institutions, while researching and proposing cash flow management solutions that comply with the legal framework, risk management requirements, and compliance orientation of the company.

Establishing a foundation for the development of new services and business models in Da Nang, gradually expanding operational scale and enhancing 9Pay’s service delivery capabilities in the next phase of growth.

The presence of 9Pay contributes to making IFC Da Nang more dynamic, while actively promoting digital transformation within the financial sector.

5. IFC Enhancing Vietnam’s Position on the Regional Financial Map

The development of the International Financial Centre of Vietnam (IFC Vietnam) plays a crucial role in enhancing Vietnam’s position on the regional and international financial map. Through IFC, Vietnam is gradually asserting itself as an emerging financial hub in Southeast Asia, with the capacity to compete with other financial centers in the region.

At the same time, IFC Vietnam enables the domestic financial market to integrate more deeply into the global financial value chain, from attracting capital flows and advanced technologies to adopting international operational standards.

For international enterprises and financial institutions, IFC Da Nang is regarded as a strategic gateway within the Asia - Pacific region, facilitating access to the Vietnamese market and expansion into ASEAN countries. With a stable investment environment and a clear development orientation toward finance and technology, IFC Da Nang serves as a strong platform for international businesses to deploy and scale financial, fintech, and digital service operations in Vietnam. As a result, Vietnam’s image and credibility continue to be strengthened in the eyes of global financial institutions.