Apple Pay - Another 'piece' to expand the digital payment ecosystem in Vietnam

With the participation of NAPAS and major banks such as Vietcombank, Apple Pay is officially available to domestic card users in Vietnam, marking an important turning point in the journey of digital transformation of the payment system.

A boost for contactless payments in Vietnam

On April 15, the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) officially announced the launch of Apple Pay for domestic cards, initially applied to banks such as Vietcombank and OCB. This is an important step forward in the context of increasingly popular contactless payments, especially in large cities.

To pay in-store, customers simply double-click the side button, authenticate, and place their iPhone or Apple Watch near the payment terminal to make a contactless payment. There’s no need to enter a PIN when making an in-store purchase with Apple Pay. Every Apple Pay transaction is secure, authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or your device’s passcode, along with a dynamic one-time security code. Today, Apple Pay offers customers a faster, safer, and more convenient way to pay, whether they’re buying coffee at Highlands Coffee, buying groceries at Annam Gourmet, or ordering a ride from BE — Apple Pay is accepted anywhere contactless payments are accepted.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Nguyen Quang Minh, General Director of NAPAS, emphasized: "The introduction of Apple Pay not only promotes digital payments but also brings a more convenient, secure and personalized payment experience to users."

According to a NAPAS representative, in recent years, Vietnam has witnessed the rapid development of digital payment methods, especially on mobile platforms. This means that consumers increasingly demand speed and convenience in daily transactions.

"With convenient, safe and easy-to-use payment features, payment cards have been applied in payment solutions for many areas of modern society such as transportation, retail, and dining. The deployment of Apple Pay on NAPAS cards contributes to the development of a modern card payment ecosystem as well as international integration, meeting the payment needs of consumers in Vietnam," said Mr. Nguyen Quang Minh.

NAPAS domestic cards issued by Vietnamese banks and financial companies have product lines including Debit cards, Prepaid cards, Credit cards and dual cards that integrate both debit and credit cards in one physical card. Advanced chip technology is applied in the card to enhance security, safety and security, and help prevent fraudulent and counterfeit card transactions. In countries such as Korea, Malaysia, Laos, and Thailand, tourists can use NAPAS cards to withdraw money directly at ATMs, without having to go through foreign exchange services.

To pay in-store, customers simply double-press the side button, authenticate, and hold their iPhone or Apple Watch near the payment terminal to make a contactless payment. Customers do not need to enter a PIN when making in-store purchases using Apple Pay. Every Apple Pay transaction is secured with Face ID, Touch ID, or the device’s passcode, along with a dynamic one-time security code.

This not only enhances user experience but also meets security requirements in public payment situations.

Notably, NAPAS has coordinated with technology partners such as VNPay, OnePay, ZaloPay and Ngan Luong to support units accepting payments via Apple Pay, expanding features for both online and point-of-sale payments.

Banks actively respond to expanding payment ecosystem

In the era of strong digitalization, Apple Pay can be considered an important piece in the "cashless" trend in Vietnam.

Customers will continue to receive the same incentives and benefits that Vietcombank Connect24 domestic card brings.

Not only does it contribute to improving customer experience, the implementation of Apple Pay also promotes international financial integration. The expanded payment ecosystem will be the foundation for Vietnam to approach global technology standards, while creating innovation momentum for the entire financial market.

Along with NAPAS, major commercial banks also quickly joined in. Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) affirmed its pioneering position by deploying Apple Pay service for Vietcombank Connect24 domestic card line.

Ms. Doan Hong Nhung, Director of Vietcombank Retail, shared: After launching Apple Pay with international cards in 2023, Vietcombank continues to expand the service to domestic card users. This demonstrates the bank's commitment to customer-centricity and promoting comprehensive digitalization in the banking sector.

"Vietcombank is providing the form of issuing Connect24 non-physical cards online via the VCB Digibank application. This card can be activated and used directly on Apple Pay, helping customers save time and effort, while enjoying all the incentives from the bank," Ms. Doan Hong Nhung shared.

Security and privacy are at the core of Apple Pay. When customers use their Vietcombank Connect24 domestic card with Apple Pay, a unique device account number is assigned, encrypted, and securely stored in the Secure Element, an industry-standard certified chip that securely stores payment information on the device.

Emphasizing the simple installation, Vietcombank representative instructed: On iPhone, customers can add Vietcombank Connect24 domestic card to Apple Pay directly on the VCB Digibank homepage and click on the Apple Pay icon; or open the Wallet application, click '+' and follow the instructions to add the card. After adding the card to iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, customers can use Apple Pay on that device immediately.

Vietcombank Connect24 domestic card (Vietcombank NAPAS domestic card) linked to Apple is available on iPhone XS or later with iOS 17.5 or later. In addition, the link is also available on Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 10.5 or later, Apple Watch needs to be paired with iPhone XS or later.

Customers will continue to receive the same incentives and benefits that Vietcombank Connect24 domestic card brings.

It can be said that, although newly deployed, Apple Pay has opened a new era of payment and also affirmed the ability of the domestic financial system to keep up with global technology trends. In the future, if it continues to expand and integrate more utilities, Apple Pay and similar solutions will be an important driving force to complete the goal of cashless payment, in line with the policy of digitalizing the economy of the Vietnamese Government.

According to Vietcombank's representative, in recent times, the bank has actively participated in prestigious honor programs at home and abroad. In 2024-2025, the bank won a series of prestigious awards such as: "Outstanding Digital Bank", "Bank accompanying small and medium enterprises", "Customer Experience of the Year" from the Retail Banking Forum; 06 awards from Visa Awards and 05 awards from JCB Awards; 03 awards at the NAPAS Member Bank Conference 2024; and 02 awards from The Asian Banker for "Best Mobile Banking Service" and "Best Wealth Management Service". These achievements not only affirm the ability to deploy new technology but also demonstrate Vietcombank's determination to accompany customers on their digital financial journey.

Mr. Minh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/apple-pay-them-manh-ghep-mo-rong-he-sinh-thai-thanh-toan-so-tai-viet-nam-102250415132828592.htm