How to Accept Payments in Vietnam (2026) — Merchant & Business Guide
Accepting payments in Vietnam means meeting buyers where they are — VietQR bank transfers, e-wallets, cards, and cash-on-delivery. This guide walks merchants and businesses through the methods that matter, how to set up VietQR and wallets, choosing a payment gateway, handling COD, and staying compliant with State Bank of Vietnam rules. Details and fees change, so confirm current terms with your bank or provider.
Step-by-step
- 1
Know what buyers expect
Vietnamese customers pay via VietQR bank transfers, e-wallets (MoMo, ZaloPay, ViettelPay), domestic and international cards, and cash-on-delivery (COD) for e-commerce. Offering the methods your segment actually uses is the single biggest driver of conversion.
- 2
Set up a Vietnamese business bank account
A local business account (and entity) is the foundation for receiving VietQR transfers and settling card and wallet payouts. Foreign businesses typically work through a registered Vietnamese entity or a local partner/PSP.
- 3
Enable VietQR
VietQR is the national interoperable QR standard routed through NAPAS — one QR code accepts instant transfers from any bank or wallet. It is low-cost and near-universal; for most merchants it is the default in-person and invoice payment method.
- 4
Add e-wallets
Integrate the major wallets — MoMo (largest), ZaloPay, ViettelPay — directly or via a payment gateway. Wallets matter for younger, urban, mobile-first buyers and for in-app/online checkout.
- 5
Integrate a payment gateway / PSP
For online checkout, a payment service provider (e.g. VNPay, OnePay, MoMo, or platform-native processors) bundles cards, wallets, and QR into one integration with settlement and reconciliation. Compare take rates, payout timelines, and supported methods.
- 6
Handle COD and reconciliation
For e-commerce, cash-on-delivery is still significant. Carriers (GHN, GHTK, J&T) collect cash and remit it on a cycle — factor remittance speed into cash flow, and reconcile COD, wallet, and card settlements against orders.
- 7
Stay compliant
Payment intermediary services in Vietnam are regulated by the State Bank of Vietnam (Decree 52/2024/ND-CP and Circular 40/2024/TT-NHNN). Use licensed providers, follow KYC rules, and keep records — especially for refunds, chargebacks, and cross-border flows.
VietQR vs wallets vs cards vs COD
No single method wins. VietQR (routed via NAPAS) is cheapest and near-universal for transfers; e-wallets capture mobile-first urban buyers; cards serve higher-value and cross-border purchases; and cash-on-delivery still reaches rural and first-time buyers. Most merchants offer several and let the mix settle by segment.
How fast digital methods are growing
| Non-cash payments | Period covered | Volume growth | Value growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | First 11 months | +56.8% | +33.7% |
| 2025 | Full year | ~+42% | — |
The periods differ (11 months versus a full year), so read the rows as direction, not a like-for-like trend. See the Vietnam payments reference for the 2025 account and transaction statistics.
E-commerce payment mix: sources disagree
| Source | E-wallets | Bank transfer | COD | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antom (2025) | 38% | 28% | 16% | — |
| ACE Money Transfer (2026) | 30% | 29% | — | — |
| 8b.world | 36% | 20% | — | 17% |
These are commercial estimates, not official statistics, and they use different definitions and years. Use them to see the ranking (wallets and transfers lead, COD is a minority but still present), not as precise shares. MoMo reports 30+ million users (October 2026); a 2023 Cimigo study put the top three wallets at about 90% of the wallet market.
What happens when a buyer pays
-
Buyer chooses a method
CheckoutShow VietQR, the main wallets, cards and (for e-commerce) COD; hide methods your segment does not use.
Gate: Offer the methods your target segment actually uses.
-
Gateway or PSP routes the payment
Payment providerOne integration bundles cards, wallets and QR and handles authentication.
Gate: Use a provider licensed by the State Bank of Vietnam.
-
Bank or wallet authorises
IssuerThe buyer confirms in their bank or wallet app, typically with OTP or biometrics.
Gate: Failed or timed-out authorisations need a retry path.
-
Settlement to your account
Provider + bankFunds are paid out on the provider cycle, net of fees.
Gate: Compare payout timelines — they affect working capital.
-
Reconcile
FinanceMatch gateway, wallet, bank and COD remittances to orders, including refunds and chargebacks.
Gate: COD cash arrives later via the carrier cycle.
Generic flow; each provider documents its own timelines and fees.
What to compare between providers
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Take rate per method | Cards, wallets and QR price differently; ask for the rate card in writing |
| Payout timeline | Days to settlement set your cash cycle |
| Methods supported | Coverage of VietQR, the top wallets, domestic and international cards |
| Refund and chargeback handling | Who bears the cost and how long it takes |
| Licensing and onboarding | A licensed provider and a clear KYC process reduce compliance risk |
We did not find a reliable published rate card to quote; get quotes from at least two providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What payment methods should a business accept in Vietnam?
At minimum: VietQR bank transfers (near-universal, low-cost), the major e-wallets (MoMo, ZaloPay, ViettelPay), debit/credit cards (NAPAS domestic plus Visa/Mastercard), and — for e-commerce — cash-on-delivery (COD). The right mix depends on your audience: urban/young buyers lean on wallets and QR, while rural and first-time buyers still use COD.
How does a merchant accept VietQR payments?
VietQR works through NAPAS: you display a static or dynamic QR code (via your bank's merchant service or a payment gateway), and the customer scans it inside any bank or wallet app to send an instant transfer. It is interoperable across all participating institutions and is typically the cheapest way to take payments.
Can a foreign business accept payments in Vietnam?
Usually through a registered Vietnamese entity, a local partner, or a licensed payment service provider that settles to an eligible account. Direct collection in Vietnamese dong generally requires local banking relationships, and payment-intermediary activity is regulated by the State Bank of Vietnam, so most foreign businesses route through a local PSP or marketplace.
What are payment gateway fees in Vietnam?
Fees vary by method and provider. VietQR/bank transfers are typically the cheapest (often near-zero for consumer transfers); cards carry interchange-style fees (commonly a couple of percent); e-wallets and gateways charge a per-transaction percentage plus possible fixed fees. Always compare take rate, settlement timeline, and supported methods across PSPs.
Is cash-on-delivery still necessary in Vietnam?
For broad e-commerce reach, often yes — COD remains significant, especially outside major cities and for first-time buyers, though its share is declining as wallets and QR grow. Many merchants offer COD alongside prepaid options and use vouchers or small discounts to nudge buyers toward cheaper, faster prepaid methods.
Sources
- State Bank of Vietnam data on non-cash and QR payments, reported by Vietstock (Jan 2025) and Vietnamese press
- NAPAS / VietQR figures as reported in 2024–2025 coverage; MoMo user count from company reporting
- Antom, ACE Money Transfer and 8b.world — e-commerce payment mix estimates (commercial sources; definitions differ)
Figures and rules are summarised from the sources above in October 2026. Press-reported and commercial estimates were not independently verified; confirm the current text with an official source or a qualified adviser before acting. Not legal, tax or investment advice.