The seminar focused on discussing solutions to foster a seamlessly connected digital payment ecosystem linking banks, service providers, businesses, and consumers, thereby enhancing payment experiences and supporting the growth of the digital economy.

At the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NAPAS, delivered a presentation titled "Cross-Border Payment Connectivity: From Infrastructure to User Experience," in which he shared insights into digital payment trends and highlighted the critical role of infrastructure connectivity in meeting the increasingly diverse transaction demands of the market.

In his presentation, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung emphasized that payments are an essential component of the economy, facilitating the circulation of funds, the completion of transactions, and the connection of commercial and business activities. He noted that digital payment demand has evolved beyond person-to-person money transfers to encompass payments for goods and services, while increasingly expanding into the cross-border payment space.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NAPAS, speaks at the seminar.

This shift has created growing demand for a seamless and convenient payment experience throughout the customer journey, from purchasing goods to accessing services. It has also driven stronger collaboration among banks, payment intermediaries and technology companies to integrate payment solutions into broader digital service ecosystems.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NAPAS, while the VietQR money transfer service has helped establish digital transaction habits through banking applications, VietQRPay has further expanded the payment experience at merchant locations by supporting transaction confirmation, reconciliation and refund processing when required. This marks an important step in the evolution from simple fund transfers to comprehensive digital payments, better addressing the needs of both consumers and merchants while making digital transactions a natural part of everyday life.

As the operator of Vietnam’s national retail payment infrastructure, NAPAS has been working closely with banks, payment intermediaries and international partners to develop the VietQRPay and VietQRGlobal ecosystems. To date, VietQRPay has attracted participation from 45 banks and payment service providers, creating a nationwide acceptance network. In the cross-border QR payment space, NAPAS has established VietQRGlobal connectivity with six markets, namely Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China, Singapore and South Korea, while continuing to expand into other potential markets. Beyond providing greater convenience for travelers and business visitors, cross-border payment connectivity plays an important role in facilitating trade, investment and broader digital economic activities across the region.

However, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tung noted that cross-border payments continue to face a number of challenges, including infrastructure interoperability, technical standards alignment, regulatory compliance across jurisdictions, expansion of merchant acceptance networks, as well as data security and information protection requirements. Addressing these challenges will require close and coordinated cooperation among regulators, payment infrastructure operators, banks and service providers to build a secure, efficient and interconnected cross-border payment ecosystem.

Conference overview

Alongside the opportunities it creates, cross-border payments also present challenges related to system interoperability, service operations, regulatory compliance, and data security. As transactions are processed across multiple systems and jurisdictions, close collaboration among stakeholders is essential to ensure seamless transaction processing and strengthen user trust.

In the cross-border payment landscape, establishing technical connectivity is only the first step. Stakeholders must work closely to align operational procedures and enhance risk management capabilities. At the same time, greater emphasis should be placed on data protection and user awareness of transaction security to mitigate the risks of fraud, identity theft, and other forms of abuse in the digital environment.

As the operator of Vietnam’s national retail payment infrastructure, NAPAS works in collaboration with banks, payment intermediaries, and international partners to deploy connectivity solutions that ensure operational consistency and efficiency. NAPAS also continues to expand payment acceptance networks while implementing communication and awareness initiatives to strengthen service visibility, enabling users to easily access suitable payment methods at merchant locations and service points.

This approach aligns with the broader objective of building a user-centric digital ecosystem, where convenience goes hand in hand with the protection of customers’ legitimate rights and interests. Sustainable growth in digital payments can only be achieved when individuals and businesses not only gain access to fast and convenient services but also have confidence in the security, reliability, and transparency of the payment system.

Looking ahead, NAPAS will continue to strengthen its role as the national payment infrastructure operator by working closely with its members and partners to expand connectivity, further develop the VietQRPay and VietQRGlobal ecosystems, enhance service quality, and reinforce security and data protection measures. Through these efforts, NAPAS aims to foster more effective connectivity across payment ecosystem participants, broaden payment access for consumers and businesses, advance cashless payments, support the growth of the digital economy, and promote deeper regional and international payment integration.

Experience NAPAS Digital Payment Innovations at Song Festival 2026

Continuing the activities of Vietnam Digital Payment Day 2026, Song Festival 2026 will take place on October 24-25 at Hanoi Walking Street. At the event, NAPAS will introduce an interactive digital payment experience zone featuring innovative payment technologies, exclusive promotions, attractive gifts, and a range of engaging activities for visitors.

Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Tap & Pay with NAPAS cards, as well as make payments using VietQRPay and VietQRGlobal. The experience offers the public a closer look at the future of cross-border digital payments, at a time when international travel, trade, and economic connectivity continue to gain momentum.

In addition, the NAPAS booth will feature a variety of interactive activities, including "Check-in and Receive Gifts," "Lucky Spin," and "Claw Machine Challenge," alongside exclusive shopping promotions and Starbucks beverages available at a special price of VND 30,000. NAPAS will also roll out a range of promotional programs in collaboration with partner banks and merchants, while offering attractive gifts such as tote bags, insulated bottles, handheld fans, and keychains. Notably, proceeds from the flat-price product sales initiative will be donated to support the construction of computer rooms for under-resourced schools across Vietnam.