Digital Finance Festival 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City draws crowds seeking tech experiences and gifts

Ho Chi Minh City's Nguyen Hue Walking Street buzzed with activity on Saturday as the Digital Finance Festival 2026 drew large crowds eager to experience new technologies and win prizes. From early afternoon, the festival grounds were filled with music and cheers from interactive games, with many young people and families patiently queuing for check-ins and mini-games.

Attendees like Ngoc Lan expressed delight at the event, sharing her haul of prizes including a teddy bear and a fan after just 15 minutes. "I read about the program on Tuoi Tre's fanpage, so I took the opportunity to visit. I didn't expect every booth to be so lively and have so many activities," she said.

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I read about the program on fanpage báo Tuổi Trẻ nên tranh thủ tới tham quan. Không ngờ gian nào cũng đông vui và nhiều hoạt động như vậy. Mới đi một gian hàng thôi mà tôi đã nhận được một chú gấu bông, quạt

Mike, a freelancer from the U.S. living in Ho Chi Minh City for three years, was particularly impressed by the widespread adoption of digital payments in Vietnam. He noted that while cashless payments grew in the U.S. after COVID-19, Vietnam's everyday integration is remarkable. "I see people using their phones to pay for almost everything, from supermarket shopping to street food stalls," he observed.

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I see people using their phones to pay for almost everything, from supermarket shopping to street food stalls

Local resident Phuong, who uses seven bank cards and three e-wallets, highlighted her habit of digital payments, especially for international travel. "When I go to Thailand, I can still use my Vietnamese e-wallet. In some other countries, I use cards. I rarely carry cash wherever I go," she explained.

The festival featured numerous promotional programs and gifts from participating businesses. Visa, in collaboration with VNPT Money, offered activities at the Payment Zone and FinTech Zone, where visitors could win backpacks, thermal flasks, and other items, along with consumer vouchers. Simply checking in at the FinTech Zone granted visitors gifts, with photobooth sessions and mini-games offering prizes like a Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 camera.

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When I go to Thailand, I can still use my Vietnamese e-wallet. In some other countries, I use cards. I rarely carry cash wherever I go