From December 2, Chinese visitors to Vietnam can use their familiar mobile payment apps to scan VIETQR Global codes and make direct payments at shopping, dining and tourist locations nationwide.

The ceremony launching the QR-code retail payment connectivity between Vietnam and China.

The announcement was made at a ceremony in Hanoi launching bilateral QR-code retail payment connectivity between Vietnam and China. The event was organised by the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), UnionPay International (UPI) of China, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank).

Major retailers and service providers, including Central Retail supermarkets, Highlands Coffee and Sun World tourist sites, are now ready to accept QR payments from Chinese travellers.

The initiative is expected to offer a faster, safer and more convenient payment experience, while helping Vietnamese businesses better tap one of their largest visitor markets.

The new service follows more than a year of technical coordination since UPI and NAPAS signed an MoU witnessed by high-ranking leaders of both countries in October 2024.

Under the plan, by early 2026, the reverse payment direction will also be completed, enabling Vietnamese travellers to use the apps of NAPAS member banks to scan QR codes for payment in China.

Once fully operational in both directions, the system will form a complete cross-border QR payment ecosystem that supports tourism, trade and consumer spending between the two nations.

Vice President and CEO of UnionPay International (UPI) Larry Wang said that Vietnam is a key market for China in both trade and tourism, and UnionPay has already established an extensive payment network in the country.

The cross-border QR initiative leverages local currency settlement mechanisms, contributing to the internationalisation of the renminbi (RMB).

Enhancing cross-border payment convenience, he said, will further facilitate economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and Vietnam. UPI will continue to work with NAPAS to develop a safe and efficient regional payment ecosystem.

NAPAS CEO Nguyen Quang Minh noted that, under the guidance of the State Bank of Vietnam, NAPAS has expanded international connectivity as the operator of the national retail payment infrastructure.

The bilateral QR initiative, he emphasised, reflects close cooperation among NAPAS, UPI and participating banks to deliver seamless payments for users in both countries, strengthen financial connectivity, encourage local currency payments and promote bilateral trade and tourism.

VNR launches online ticket sales for Gia Lam – Nanning international train

The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has begun offering online ticket sales for the international passenger train service operating from Gia Lam Station to stations along the Gia Lam – Nanning (China) route, available through its official website https://dsvn.vn.

 

“I Love My Fatherland” campaign records over 1.1 billion online reaches, interactions

Launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Federation to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, the campaign combined both online engagement and community activities on a massive scale.

 

Hoi An shines as Asia’s top historic gem: France’s online travel platform

Tourlane described Hoi An as one of the best-preserved ancient towns in Southeast Asia, distinguished by its vibrant streets illuminated by thousands of colourful lanterns.

 

Vietnam targets full online provision of public services by 2025

Ministries and localities are required to follow up on conclusions of Party General Secretary To Lam and the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation. This involves studying revisions to laws on intellectual property, personal income tax, public employees and anti-corruption, as well as policies to attract and develop talent in science, technology and digital transformation.

 

PM chairs national online conference on social housing development

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a national online conference on August 16 to review the implementation of social housing development targets in the first seven months of 2025 and deploy tasks for the remaining months to achieve the goal of building 100,000 social housing apartments this year; as well as implementing social housing development targets in the following years.

 

Bac Ninh brings online public services to every residential area

BAC NINH- This time, competent agencies in northern province of Bac Ninh are actively instructing organisations and citizens to use online public services on dealing with administrative procedures. This is an important measure to construct digital government, contributing to effective performance of the two-tier local government.