International tourists are experiencing attractive non-cash shopping with diverse incentives at the ‘Cashless Town’ festival that kicked off Friday in Ho Chi Minh City as the first of its kind in Vietnam.

The three-day event has been taking place on Le Loi Avenue in downtown District 1, attracting numerous visitors including foreigners.

Cashless Town is among a series of events being held within the framework of the annual Cashless Day (June 16) – an initiative launched by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper in 2019 to promote digital payments and contribute to Vietnam’s transformation as a cash-free society.

This image shows a group of Singaporean youths excitedly shooting video clips of the making of Thai ice cream at a culinary booth of the Cashless Festival in Ho Chi Minh City on June 16, 2023. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

Among a lot of stalls that have received large numbers of visitors, Saigon Co.op's booth entertained its cashless customers with a special music program, MoMo E-Wallet offered coffee at only VND1,606 (US$0.07) per cup for its clients, and the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) provided its guests with an attractive Lucky Winning Wheel program.

“This festival is unique, strange and very exciting,” Marc Rush, 29, from the UK, said after he and his Vietnamese girlfriend won a prize and received a promotional gift at MoMo's booth. 

“After walking around at the stalls, we plan to visit the culinary space to taste Vietnamese specialties,” said Rush's girlfriend.

The young man said that although he has worked in Ho Chi Minh City for 10 months, he still cannot get used to using Vietnamese money and still often has troubles making payments.

However, his life in Vietnam has become a lot easier since the day he knew how to scan QR codes and make non-cash payments.

“After scanning the QR code, the payable amount will appear on the phone screen. I merely have to press the transfer button to make payment,” he added.

A couple from Singapore, Kim Ricafort, 28, and her 33-year-old companion Alex Aaltonen, said they chose the Cashless Festival as their next destination in the city after visiting Ben Thanh Market, also in District 1.

Kim Ricafort and Alex Aaltonen, a couple from Singapore, are seen in front of a Vietnamese sweet soup booth at the Cashless Festival in Ho Chi Minh City on June 16, 2023. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

The couple said they were quite surprised as everything at the festival, from dishes to various services could be paid using QR codes.

“That’s amazing,” Kim exclaimed.

Pointing to the large bag strapped to his chest, Aaltonen said that whenever traveling, he is very afraid of pickpockets and is often keeping his bag that way.

“It's nice that this festival allows 100 percent transfer payment. I can enjoy buying everything without worrying about carrying enough cash,” he said with a smile.

As for 74-year-old John from the U.S., he liked an event like this very much as he could enjoy shopping with rapid and convenient cashless payment.

The Cashless Festival also attracted many YouTubers, including Chris, an American who made a vlog to introduce the event.

Chris is the owner of the Fat and Broke channel with 42,000 followers. 

Meanwhile, many foreign and domestic non-cash payment service providers are making good use of the festival to promote new products and attract more clients.

This image shows Chris, an American YouTuber, making a vlog to introduce the Cashless Festival that opened in Ho Chi Minh City on June 16, 2023. Photo: Nhat Xuan / Tuoi Tre

They include National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), Japan Credit Bureau (JCB), and Saigon - Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB), among others.

The event has been jointly organized by the municipal Department of Industry and Trade and Tuoi Tre.

Among other noteworthy events of the Cashless Day is the 'Data Connection, Smart Payment to Promote Social Development' national conference that took place at the Rex Hotel in District 1 on Friday.

The same day also saw the launch of the Big Boom promotional program that allows consumers to purchase goods with incentives from sellers and intermediary payment service providers, as well as take part in other attractive activities offered by banks, card issuers, e-wallet companies, and retailers.

In addition, the 'Cashless Warriors' contest opened Friday and will last until July 15, whose results will be announced on July 21.

Notably is the Promotion Month that has been scheduled for June 15 to July 15 nationwide, with focus on Ho Chi Minh City, during which users of non-cash payment methods in shopping will be given diverse incentives from banks, retailers, e-commerce floors and trade centers, among others.

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