Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited (SET: CRC) continues to strengthen its Retail & Wholesale Ecosystem while reinforcing its role as a bridge for trade between two strategic markets. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) and Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank) to promote cross-border payments between Thailand and Vietnam through VietQR Global. The collaboration aims to offer consumers and tourists more payment options for goods and services, while facilitating trade, tourism, and consumer spending between the two countries.
Ms. Sukulaya Uahwatanasakul, Senior Executive Vice President – Group Treasury, Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited said, “Central Retail recognises the rapid growth of cross-border digital payments among consumers. This trend is reflected in the Bank of Thailand’s 2025 report, which found that the combined value of inbound and outbound cross-border QR payments exceeded THB 5.935 billion, an increase of 129% from 2024. This momentum continued into 2026, with transaction value reaching THB 1.014 billion in January. These figures highlight the opportunity to develop financial infrastructure that facilitates cross-border consumer spending.
As a leader in the Retail & Wholesale Ecosystem in both Thailand and Vietnam, Central Retail is responding to evolving consumer behaviour in the digital age while unlocking further opportunities for trade and tourism between the two countries. Through our collaboration with leading Vietnamese partners NAPAS and VietinBank, we are supporting cross-border payment innovation through VietQR Global to bring consumers and businesses closer together.
The service will enable tourists to pay for goods and services conveniently, quickly, and seamlessly using supported mobile banking applications or e-wallets from their home countries. In addition to reducing the need to carry or exchange cash, it will make shopping easier and deliver a more seamless payment experience throughout their journey.”
Under this collaboration, Central Retail will draw on the strength of its Retail & Wholesale Ecosystem, comprising more than 3,000 stores across 63 provinces in Thailand, to promote and raise awareness of cross-border payment services through VietQR Global among tourists shopping at its stores. Vietnamese consumers will be able to use familiar mobile banking applications or digital payment channels to scan QR codes and pay directly for goods and services at Central Retail’s businesses.
The service also extends to Thai tourists visiting Vietnam, who will be able to use their Thai mobile banking applications to scan QR codes and make payments at Central Retail Vietnam’s businesses nationwide. This marks another important step in enhancing the travel experience for consumers in the digital age.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Long, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), said, “NAPAS places great importance on developing digital payment infrastructure. We continue to expand cross-border QR payment services with partners in multiple countries to make cashless payments part of everyday life, while connecting Vietnamese consumers, banks, and businesses with international markets.
This collaboration with Central Retail and VietinBank marks another significant step in expanding the VietQR Global network to better serve consumers’ diverse payment needs, particularly in Thailand, a popular destination for Vietnamese travellers seeking leisure and shopping experiences. It will provide an important foundation for advancing business models and services in the digital economy, while supporting robust growth in trade and tourism between Thailand and Vietnam.”
Mr. Tran Cong Quynh Lan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade (VietinBank), said, “VietinBank believes this collaboration will mark another important milestone in using technology to enhance the daily lives of Thai and Vietnamese consumers. By building a cashless payment ecosystem that connects the two countries, we aim to provide tourists and merchants with convenient, fast, and secure payment experiences.
We are pleased to promote the adoption of cross-border QR payments through activities designed to encourage spending and make cashless transactions a seamless part of consumers’ everyday lives throughout their travels. These efforts will play an important role in shaping the future of digital payments and creating added economic value for both countries.”
“The signing of this MOU between Central Retail, NAPAS, and VietinBank marks another important step in bringing Thailand and Vietnam closer together by combining the three organisations’ strengths in retail and wholesale, finance, and technology. Looking ahead, we see opportunities to extend this collaboration through customer benefits, spending promotions, and additional services. We hope this partnership will open the door to new opportunities that support the long-term growth of both Thailand and Vietnam,” Ms. Sukulaya Uahwatanasakul concluded.
