NCB Bank accompanies the digital transformation of the tourism industry
The proactive and innovative participation of banks in the digitalization of the tourism industry not only enhances their role in providing financial services but also contributes to removing payment barriers, perfecting the digital tourism ecosystem, and improving the competitiveness and attractiveness of Vietnam as a destination.
2025 marks a turning point for Vietnam's tourism industry as "digital tourism" moves beyond mere concept to a phase of actual operation and growth. The e-Conomy SEA 2025 report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company shows that tourism is a key driver of Vietnam's economy, thanks to the stable recovery of international visitors, the dynamism of domestic tourism, and especially the application of digital technology in the travel experience. Alongside this, the trend among tourists is also prioritizing speed, convenience, and personalized experiences.
In this context, on December 20th, the national tourism data platform – Visit Vietnam – was officially launched, aiming to standardize and connect data to serve management, business, and enhance the tourism experience in the digital transformation process. The platform, operated by Sun Group and sponsored by the Government, the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, and the National Data Association, is expected to become operational from the second quarter of 2026.
Visit Vietnam promises to deliver a seamless, convenient, and modern payment experience for international tourists.
In particular, in addition to its superior experience in resort stays, entertainment, and exploring the beautiful country of Vietnam, the Visit Vietnam platform promises to provide an unprecedented seamless and convenient payment experience for international tourists. With the strategic partnership of National Citizen Bank (NCB), the platform will integrate NCB's iziPay payment solution (in collaboration with the National Data Association and Visa), allowing tourists to book services and pay directly on the system at participating locations nationwide.
This is NCB's further effort to remove payment barriers for international visitors, contributing to enhancing the service capacity of destinations in the context of the increasingly developing digital tourism. The bank is also actively deploying pioneering digital payment solutions in the market, especially those supporting the attraction of international tourists to Vietnam with the vision of "Transforming from transactions to experiences: payment as a national competitive advantage in tourism".
It is known that NCB has collaborated with NAPAS and successfully implemented cross-border QR code connectivity, allowing tourists from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and China to use their own banking applications or e-wallets in their home countries to make payments at NCB's QR code acceptance points in Vietnam. In the near future, this connection is expected to be expanded to markets such as South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, India, and China (Alipay).
NCB pioneers the deployment of digital payment solutions, supporting the attraction of international tourists to Vietnam.
For domestic tourists, NCB offers a super-fast card issuance solution, making access to financial services more convenient during their travels. Tourists can easily issue credit cards at kiosks, ready to spend and enjoy accompanying benefits. Beyond just payment, NCB credit cards contribute to a seamless and complete travel experience, based on a diverse and extensive tourism ecosystem.
The partnership with Visit Vietnam, along with the development of payment solutions aligned with tourists' consumption habits, demonstrates NCB's long-term strategy of connecting finance and technology with the evolving tourism industry. In the future, the bank will continue to launch digital payment solutions that are more convenient, secure, and tailored to each travel experience, thereby contributing to the formation of a unified digital tourism ecosystem, improving service quality at destinations, and supporting the sustainable development goals of Vietnamese tourism.