How to make payments when visiting Vietnam?

1. Use the VNPAY App (Best for all international tourists)

The official VNPAY App allows foreign travelers to register using an international phone number and link it directly with Visa, Mastercard, JCB, or American Express cards.

·        How it works: Download the app, register using your passport and phone number, then link your international card or Apple Pay.

·        Coverage: You can scan all VNPAY-QR codes found at restaurants, supermarkets, taxis, and larger stores nationwide.

2. Use Specialized Travel Wallets (Moreta Pay, Fizen, Wise)

If you want to scan VietQR codes at street food stalls, food carts, or traditional local markets:

·        Moreta Pay: This app allows you to top up funds using your international credit card or home bank account, then scan almost any VietQR, MoMo, or ZaloPay code at the counter. The app handles real-time currency conversion and pays the vendor in Vietnamese Dong (VND).

·        Wise / Alipay+: If you already have a Wise account, you can use the Wise app's built-in QR scanner at any merchant displaying an Alipay+ partner logo.

·        Fizen: This option allows you to top up using crypto (USDT) to scan directly into local VietQR bank accounts.

3. Regional Cross-Border QR Payments

If you are from specific East Asian or Southeast Asian countries, you can use your own home country's banking app to scan QR codes in Vietnam. This is powered by national payment network integrations (look for QR codes displaying the VietQRGlobal logo or regional partner logos):

·        Thailand: Apps supporting the ITMX / PromptPay network.

·        Cambodia: Apps connected to the Bakong / ACLEDA system.

·        Laos: Apps operating on the LAPNet system.

·        China: WeChat Pay or Alipay can be used to scan integrated VietQRGlobal codes at merchants across Vietnam.

·        South Korea: Apps utilizing the GLN network.

4. Use QR Features within Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab, Xanh SM)

A popular hack among travelers is installing the Grab or Xanh SM apps and linking an international Visa/Mastercard to them. When checking out at partner stores, you can use the QR scanner built directly into the Grab app to pay, and the amount will automatically be billed to your linked international card.

Quick Tips for Scanning QR Codes in Vietnam:

·        📶 Stay Connected: QR scanning requires a stable internet connection. It is highly recommended to buy a local travel eSIM as soon as you land at the airport.

·        🧐 Double-Check the Recipient: Before confirming any transaction, always check the account holder's name displayed on your screen to ensure it matches the shop or vendor's name.