Vietnam-based digital payment app Zalopay has partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to improve travel convenience for Vietnamese tourists visiting Singapore.

This is STB’s first collaboration with a Vietnamese payment platform. As part of the partnership, Zalopay has expanded its “Global QR Scanning” feature.

This allows users to make payments directly in Singapore through STB’s partner network, removing the need for currency exchange or international credit cards.

Exchange rates and transaction fees are clearly displayed within the app.

The app also provides travel services, including flight and hotel bookings, and payment options at restaurants and entertainment venues in Singapore.

Users can access local deals and exclusive benefits designed for Vietnamese tourists through collaborations with Singapore-based partners.

Zalopay and STB plan to promote Singapore as a travel destination for Vietnamese travelers through marketing campaigns.

🔗 Source: Zalopay

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Southeast Asia’s fintech sector is reshaping cross-border tourism experiences

The Zalopay-STB partnership exemplifies a broader regional trend where fintech solutions are transforming international travel experiences through seamless payments.

Asia-Pacific’s fintech market is projected to reach US$171.32 billion by 2025 and nearly $360 billion by 2030, with digital payments serving as a primary growth driver 1.

Digital payment adoption is particularly accelerating in tourism, with platforms like Zalopay addressing key traveler pain points such as currency exchange, transaction fees, and payment accessibility, which traditionally complicated international trips.

The timing is strategic as research shows two-thirds of global consumers traveled internationally last year, creating substantial demand for cross-border payment solutions that eliminate friction 2.

This partnership represents the growing “digital payments as a service” model in tourism, where financial technology directly enhances destination appeal beyond just facilitating transactions.

2️⃣ Vietnam-Singapore relationship evolves from traditional diplomacy to digital economic collaboration