MoMo, ZaloPay and VietQR: Payment Apps for Expats
Which Vietnamese payment apps actually work for foreigners, the registration workarounds, and what they're each best at.
Vietnam moved to QR payments fast. Even small market stalls have a printed VietQR code on their counter. As a foreigner you can absolutely participate in this economy, but registration has friction.
The three you actually need
| App | Best for | Foreigner friction |
|---|---|---|
| MoMo | Bills, top-ups, food delivery, transfers | Needs Vietnamese ID/CCCD or workaround |
| ZaloPay | Same as MoMo, integrated with Zalo messaging | Slightly easier KYC for foreigners |
| VietQR (via your bank app) | Universal QR payments, peer-to-peer | Needs a Vietnamese bank account |
For most expats, a Vietnamese bank app with VietQR is the workhorse. MoMo is a bonus for cashback and bill-pay deals.
The CCCD problem
MoMo and ZaloPay's KYC tier-up requires a Vietnamese citizen ID (CCCD). Foreigners do not have this. What you can do:
- Open a bank account first (see bank account guide). MoMo and ZaloPay can link to your debit card and verify partially via the bank.
- Register basic tier with passport — limited monthly volume (~20m VND/mo) but covers most spending.
- Don't use a Vietnamese friend's CCCD — illegal and your account will eventually freeze.
VietQR is the secret weapon
Every Vietnamese bank app (Vietcombank, Techcombank, MB Bank, etc.) can:
- Display your own QR for receiving
- Scan any other VietQR (or NAPAS247 QR) to pay
- Settle instantly, free, 24/7
You hold up your phone, scan a stall's printed QR, type the amount, hit confirm, the vendor's phone pings. Banh mi at a roadside cart, dinner at a fine-dining restaurant, your monthly rent — same system.
MoMo specifically
After you link a bank card you can:
- Pay every utility bill (EVN electricity, water, internet, mobile top-ups)
- Buy Grab/Be top-ups
- Pay at most chain stores (Highlands, The Coffee House, Circle K)
- Receive money from Vietnamese friends
- Get cashback offers (often legitimately good for first-time merchants)
What you typically cannot do as a passport-only user:
- Cash withdrawal at agent points
- Higher transaction limits
- Some merchant features
ZaloPay specifically
Tied to Zalo, the dominant Vietnamese chat app. If your Vietnamese coworkers, landlord, or builder use Zalo (they will), ZaloPay lets you settle in the same conversation. Otherwise functionally similar to MoMo.
Apple Pay and Google Pay
Apple Pay launched in Vietnam in 2023 and works with most Visa/Mastercard cards from Vietnamese banks. Tap-to-pay terminals are now common at chain stores. Google Pay / Google Wallet support is patchier; depends on your card issuer.
What still wants cash
- Truly small market stalls run by older vendors
- Most xe ôm (motorbike taxis) outside of Grab/Be/Xanh SM
- Some taxis (though Vinasun and Mai Linh take cards)
- Tips
- Wet-market produce sellers in older markets
Keep 200,000–500,000 VND in your wallet at all times.
Honest take
If you have a Vietnamese bank account, VietQR via your bank app is enough for 90% of life. MoMo adds bill-pay convenience. Don't bother with the obscure ones (ViettelPay, ShopeePay) unless you have a specific reason — they fragment your money for no benefit.
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