Payment Preferences in Vietnam: COD, E‑Wallets, and QR Codes Explained

Vietnam’s checkout habits are changing quickly—but not uniformly. You serve city-based customers who expect tap-free, mobile-first payments, as well as rural buyers who still prefer the security of cash. That mix creates real pressure on your operations: failed COD drop-offs inflate costs and returns, fragmented wallet/QR acceptance confuses buyers at checkout, and inconsistent connectivity makes it hard to keep payment flows reliable outside major metropolitan areas. This article shows how to meet those realities without turning your checkout into a maze.

In simple terms, understanding ecommerce in Vietnam means recognising that payment preferences such as COD, e-wallets, and QR codes are converging into a flexible “mix and match” model that requires thoughtful planning. Success comes from offering all three options and gradually guiding each customer toward the most trusted and lowest-friction payment path.

Market Context Shaping Payment Choices

Vietnam’s regulatory push for non‑cash payments and rapid e‑commerce growth has accelerated digital acceptance in cities. Meanwhile, card usage remains relatively low by global standards, so you can’t expect a card‑first market overnight. What you can expect is the fast adoption of account-to-account rails (VietQR) and bank-linked e-wallets, which remove the need for plastic.

Digital Transformation Direction

You see the benefits of national digital‑payments initiatives most clearly in urban centres, where bank apps and e‑wallets are embedded in daily life—from cafés to convenience stores. Cross‑border QR pilots and rollouts also help merchants serving tourists and cross‑border shoppers.

Regulatory and Security Environment

Expect greater consistency in KYC, e-commerce compliance, and consumer protection. Stronger guardrails make it easier for you to standardise refunds and dispute flows, and to protect customers against fraud—key ingredients for growing non‑cash usage beyond early adopters.

Urban vs. Rural Payment Behaviours

Urban Patterns

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, smartphone-led habits and reward-driven loyalty programs encourage you to use wallet and bank-app QR codes as the default options. COD doesn’t disappear—it remains valid for bulky items or first‑time orders—but repeat customers quickly migrate to faster methods if you make them obvious and straightforward.

Rural Realities

Outside the big cities, banking access and connectivity can be thinner. That’s where COD still earns its keep. However, rural buyers also value simple, low-barrier digital methods—especially QR codes that work from a basic banking app and e-wallets that allow cash top-ups. Low card penetration (with only about half of consumers holding debit cards, and far fewer having credit cards) serves as a reminder to prioritise account-to-account transactions.

COD in the Context of Cash Reliance

Where COD Fits Today

COD builds trust for new‑to‑brand buyers and in regions where cash remains the comfort zone. It also helps with high‑value, infrequent purchases where customers want to inspect goods first. Treat COD as a conversion tool, not a forever default.

Operational Implications of COD

Set rules that protect margins: order-value caps for first-time buyers, SMS/IVR confirmations before dispatch, address validation, and preferred delivery windows. Where possible, pair COD with QR-at-delivery—drivers present a dynamic QR code and release the parcel once your app confirms a completed payment.

E‑Wallet Adoption Drivers and Considerations

What Supports E-Wallet Use

Urban density favours small, frequent purchases—ideal for e‑wallets. Buyers like instant checkout, rewards, and easy refunds. You can reinforce that behaviour with clear labels, familiar wallet icons, and one‑tap flows.

Design Notes for Acceptance

Keep the path short. Offer in‑context explanations (“Instant—no card needed”) and promise fast, original‑method refunds. For first‑time orders, consider soft limits; lift them as the customer builds a track record. Where you serve both city and rural customers, highlight options that work without cards or with cash top‑ups.

QR Codes and the Role of VietQR

Interoperable QR Rails

VietQR has become the breakout channel thanks to interoperability across dozens of banks. By late 2023, monthly VietQR transactions had already passed the 100‑million mark—and QR volumes and values continued to surge through 2024. For you, that means fewer abandoned carts, fewer “card declined” moments, and simpler reconciliation through standardised references.

Merchant Implementation Cues

• Place the static QR code at eye level near the pickup points, ensuring consistent lighting.
• Prefer dynamic QR for delivery and in‑app checkouts so the amount and order ID are prefilled.
• Train staff to verify the “Paid” screen and match references before handover.
• Reconcile by QR reference and automate alerts for duplicates or partial matches.

Bridging the Urban–Rural Divide

Extending Reach Beyond Cities

Combine COD with QR code at delivery to convert hesitant first-time customers without forcing a behavioural change. Offer small incentives on the next order to customers who complete payment via QR or wallet—this encourages repeat behaviour without penalising first-time purchase caution.

Infrastructure and Policy Tailwinds

As non‑cash rails expand, you’ll see more reliable acceptance outside Tier‑1 cities. That’s your cue to pilot QR and wallet promotions in Tier 2/3 locations, monitor the acceptance share, and retire high-friction steps where digital take-up proves sticky.

Practical Checklist for Non‑Technical Teams

Offer Sets and UX — Payment Preferences in Vietnam: COD, E-Wallets, and QR Codes

1. Show local methods first. Place the wallet and VietQR side by side with a single primary action; make COD visible but secondary.
2. Explain the benefit. Add short helper text (“Instant, no card needed”) to reduce uncertainty for first‑time users.
3. Make refunds effortless. Commit to fast, original‑method refunds—a major driver of repeat usage.
4. Keep choices stable. Don’t rotate methods between pages; avoid forcing customers to re‑select.

Operations and Risk

• COD controls: value caps for first orders, confirmation calls, and address validation before dispatch.
• Reconciliation: standardise QR references and automate checks for under-/over‑payments.
• Disputes: publish a simple return flow; when possible, issue COD refunds via bank transfer rather than cash.

Choosing a Payment Partner for Vietnam

If you operate across multiple markets, compare providers on local method coverage (VietQR, major e‑wallets), COD workflows, and reconciliation tooling. Providers such as Antom, PayPal, and Adyen support Vietnam‑ready stacks; evaluate their settlement currencies, payout timing, and reporting depth, then select the one that best fits your operating model.

Planning Ahead

Use your data to track the share of wallet, QR, and COD by city tier, product category, and fulfilment type. Build dashboards on payment preferences in Vietnam —COD, e-wallets, and QR codes —and set targets for transitioning first-time COD buyers to QR or wallet on orders 2 or 3. Keep an eye on policy updates and cross‑border QR expansions—they are early signals of where usage will grow next.

Comparison at a Glance

Conclusion

You don’t need to “pick a side.” Offer COD, e-wallets, and QR codes—then guide each buyer to the simplest and safest option for their specific situation. With policy momentum, interoperable QR rails, and wallet habits deepening in cities, the balance will continue to tilt toward digital. Start with clear choices, tighter COD controls, and consistent messaging. That’s how you lower cost today while building durable, repeatable payments tomorrow.