UnionPay International (UPI) and the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) have launched a pilot programme for cross-border QR payments between China and Vietnam.

The initiative aims to improve mobile payment options for Chinese visitors in Vietnam and strengthen links between the two countries.

The pilot builds on earlier agreements.

In October 2024, UPI and NAPAS signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cross-border payment cooperation.

Leaders from both governments witnessed the signing.

In April 2025, UPI, NAPAS, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), and Vietcombank signed a four-party agreement in Hanoi.

The deal confirmed their plan to introduce QR payment interconnection within the year.

Chinese tourists can now scan VietQR Global QR codes at participating merchants using the UnionPay App or partner bank apps.

This allows cashless payments in major shopping areas, tourist sites, restaurants, and other outlets.

Participating institutions expect more than 30,000 merchants to accept QR payments by the end of 2025.

In 2026, NAPAS plans to expand the programme to all member institutions, including banks, payment companies, and major local e-wallets.

This will widen acceptance across the country.

UPI and NAPAS also intend to enable Vietnamese users to scan UnionPay QR codes in China through NAPAS member bank apps.

This will create two-way QR compatibility for travellers and residents.

Larry Wang, CEO of UnionPay International, said:

“Vietnam is an important destination for Chinese tourists and a key market for Chinese enterprises’ international business. As economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries deepen, the China-Vietnam QR code interconnection will enhance payment convenience and boost regional financial cooperation.”

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Hong Kong, based on image by freepik, maksin_priestess and maksin_priestess via Freepik

This article first appeared on Fintech News Singapore