A life without a wallet in Vietnam: How QR code payments have changed daily life

My experience in Vietnam where QR code payments are commonplace.

One of the things that surprised me when I came to Vietnam was the speed at which QR code payments are spreading.

In Japan, "cashless payments" still mainly refer to credit cards and PayPay, but in Vietnam, bank-issued QR codes are central to daily life. If you have a local bank account, you can complete almost all payments with just your smartphone.

Can be used even at food stalls | The penetration of QR payments is spreading more than expected

What's interesting is how widespread it is. You'll find it's not uncommon to hear "QR code OK" not only in cafes and restaurants, but also in street stalls and small general stores. There's only one requirement: an internet connection. As long as you meet that requirement, you can walk around town without carrying cash. In fact, I myself go fewer days without a wallet than when I was in Japan.

What's even more convenient is that even between Japanese people, if you have a local bank account, you can easily send money using a QR code. Splitting the bill at a drinking party becomes a breeze; you just tap your smartphone and send the money. Reducing these small stresses makes a big difference in your quality of life.

Not completely cashless | Cash still remains in reality

Of course, it's not a panacea. In taxis and some bars, cash is often faster. Some locals even say it's easier to pull out bills from their pocket than to take out their smartphone.

Vietnam doesn't have coins; everything is in banknotes, so wallets aren't bulky, and many people just put them directly in their pockets. Even with the spread of QR code payments, it's still difficult to live completely cashless. But I feel like there's a greater sense of security in Vietnam than in Japan, knowing that "it'll all work out somehow" even if you forget your wallet.

QR code payments are beginning to cross national borders.

Recently, QR code payments have begun to expand not only domestically but also internationally. For example, Zalopay, a leading cashless payment platform in Vietnam, has made it available in China, Singapore, Japan, and other countries.

Vietnamese tourists can now pay in Vietnamese Dong without having to exchange currency or go through the procedures for international cards. This kind of cross-border payment system is not just a feature of an app, but is made possible by a wide-ranging payment infrastructure.

The cloud and payment infrastructure behind it

Behind this infrastructure lies an essential cloud platform capable of handling massive transactions. Scalable cloud services like AWS play a crucial role in supporting the growth of these payment platforms. Cashless payments are not only convenient, but also symbolize how cloud and network technologies are transforming the structure of society.

QR code payments in Vietnam are a step ahead of those in Japan. With a local bank account, payments and remittances are incredibly easy. And behind this lies a massive cloud-based payment ecosystem. This kind of everyday life is becoming commonplace here.