How to pay by QR code in Vietnam without a local bank account?

A physical Vietnamese bank card is not required for paying by local QR code: a local bank account plus the bank’s app can be enough. However, funding that account via foreign transfer services may involve a noticeably poor exchange rate.

At BIDV, foreigners may be refused a cash top-up unless they provide proof of the source of funds. So even after opening an account, using it for QR payments can still be limited by the bank’s source-of-funds requirements.

Refunds for cash purchases on Shopee require either a Vietnamese national ID with QR code to withdraw to a Shopee wallet, or a local bank account for direct transfer. Both options are unavailable to foreigners without Vietnamese documents, and there is no known workaround.

QR payments in Vietnam use the VietQR system and require a Vietnamese bank app. Without a local account or card, completing such a payment is nearly impossible.

Vietcombank accounts for foreigners in Vietnam have restrictions: Vietnamese residents cannot send money to them, and cash deposits by the account holder are not allowed — only international wire transfers.

Some foreign banks and fintech services show a 'country not available for delivery' error when trying to ship a physical card to Vietnam — this is a known limitation.