Dwellers in Ho Chi Minh City are keen on making cashless payments for public services, pushing up the non-cash transaction rate in administrative agencies.

Charge and fee collection operations have been conducted via electronic payment apps and QR (quick response) codes thanks to residents’ enthusiastic support.

Nguyen Ngoc Thu Ngan, who was waiting for her turn to make a transaction related to land at the headquarters of the Phu Nhuan District People’s Committee on Wednesday afternoon, said that she often makes cashless payments in her daily transactions, mainly for food, coffee, and clothes purchases.

Though she rarely uses public services, Ngan sees many people show interest in cashless payment practices at administrative agencies.

“Many residents [here] are willing to scan a QR code to pay for their transactions after some officials of the Phu Nhuan administration instructed them to use the payment app,” Ngan said.

While waiting for his turn to complete some procedures at the headquarters of the People’s Committee of Ward 2 under Phu Nhuan District, Nghia, 75, said that it was convenient to make cashless payments. 

His wife often uses her smartphone to transfer money, he added.

Nghia said that he is not knowledgeable about cashless payment practices, but he will follow suit to contribute to building a cashless society if everyone shifts to non-cash transactions.

Le Duy Thien, 32, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that he came to the People’s Committee of Ward 9 under Phu Nhuan District to notarize the birth certificate of his newborn son.

His family often makes digital payments via bank accounts and e-wallets, said Thien.

“Nearly 90 percent of my transactions are made cashless. I always use an ATM card to foot my shopping bills," he said.

“All administrative agencies now go cashless, making payments convenient."

Surge in cashless payments

Nguyen Duc Lai, chairman of the People’s Committee of Ward 9 in Phu Nhuan District, said that the number of administrative procedures handled at the ward stands at 128, with 31 of them featuring public services that allow people to make online payments.

Available cashless payment methods are Internet banking and QR codes that have been applied since June 1 last year.

Cashless fee payments at the Ward 9 administration are on the rise. Some 85 percent of transactions have been made via QR codes, while online payments have accounted for 10 percent.

Meanwhile, a mere five percent of payments have been made in cash.

“The ward aims for about 80 percent of cashless payments for its fee collection service in 2023,” Lai noted.

Nguyen Thanh Huy, a representative of the financial division of the Phu Nhuan People’s Committee, told Tuoi Tre that more and more residents had used public services for notarization and tax payments, employing cashless payment methods.

The non-cash payment methods are practical, safe, and fast-track, Huy added.

The People’s Committee of Phu Nhuan District is authorized to handle 215 procedures, including 50 going online, according to the representative.

Residents encouraged to make cashless payments

The Phu Nhuan administration will call on residents to make cashless payments, especially for in-person procedures, said a representative of the People’s Committee of the district.

Cashless payment matches the national government’s strategy and follows the development trend, the official added.

Cashless Day 2023 to feature a series of activities

A slew of programs and events will be held to back the Cashless Day 2023, which is an annual event initiated by Tuoi Tre on June 16, 2019 to promote non-cash payment practices and help build a cashless society in Vietnam.

Among them is a national conference themed 'Cashless Day,' which is set to kick off at the Rex Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday.

The Cashless Warriors contest starts on Friday and wraps up on July 15. The contestants are required to make a video recounting their experiences in cashless payment and some benefits from cashless transactions. The winners will be announced on July 21.

The Cashless Town festival will be the highlight of this year’s Cashless Day. The festival, which spans three days starting from Friday, will take place on Le Loi Boulevard in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

The fest will be jointly organized by the State Bank of Vietnam’s Payment Department and Communications Department, and Tuoi Tre in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade and other partners.

Another event was the Big Boom promotional program which was rolled out nationwide on Thursday. Via the program, consumers who purchase goods with cashless payments can get incentives from sellers, and intermediary payment service providers.

The Check-in Cashless Town photo contest, part of the Cashless Town festival, will also offer new experiences to revelers and participants.

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