International Fintechs Eye Vietnam's Cross-Border Payments | Tuổi Trẻ (VN) | Business News

International fintech companies are showing significant interest in Vietnam's burgeoning cross-border payment market, particularly during the Digital Finance Day 2026 event. Both users and service providers are drawn to QR code payment solutions, which offer a convenient and near-instantaneous transaction process with minimal fees.

For international payments, numerous banks and financial institutions are actively promoting cross-border QR payment solutions. Chinese tourists, for instance, can now make payments in Vietnam by scanning the Global QR code at select merchants. This is particularly relevant as travelers from major markets like South Korea and China face restrictions on the amount of cash they can carry abroad, often relying on cards or cash upon arrival, which can limit their spending.

Beyond QR codes, fintech businesses are also proposing innovative solutions leveraging digital assets. Lee Yu Jin, CEO of Zekto, highlighted the growing demand for efficient, low-cost, and fast payment solutions, driven by the surge in tourism and trade between Vietnam and South Korea. Zekto's participation in the Digital Finance Festival aims to understand the current landscape of international payment needs and infrastructure in Vietnam.

"Besides the widely adopted QR code payment method, Vietnam could consider solutions that many financial startups are researching, such as using digital assets designed to maintain stable value as an intermediary layer in cross-border payments," Lee suggested. This model would allow Korean tourists in Vietnam to pay via QR codes, with transactions processed through a stablecoin layer before converting to local currency in each country's banking system. Zekto believes that simplifying payment processes for tourists and businesses will ultimately lead to increased spending.

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Besides the widely adopted QR code payment method, Vietnam could consider solutions that many financial startups are researching, such as using digital assets designed to maintain stable value as an intermediary layer in cross-border payments.