To meet growing consumer preference for more payment options, Mastercard is launching contactless payments via Google Wallet in Viet Nam on November 15.

Mastercard cardholders from VPBank can now save their credit and debit cards for Google Pay within Google Wallet, a digital wallet that enables users to store credit and debit cards, as well as boarding passes.

They can then make hassle-free and secure payments in stores where contactless payments are accepted, as well as in apps and on the web, through their Android phones and WearOS devices. After the first launch in Singapore, Viet Nam, Thailand and Malaysia are the next countries in Southeast Asia to support Google Wallet.

“Vietnamese consumers are showing a real openness and enthusiasm to emerging payment technologies and carrying heaps of cash is now a thing of the past. Mastercard is delighted to bring the convenience and security of Google Walllet to VPBank Mastercard cardholders in Vietnam so that they can pay anytime, anywhere with their smartphones,” said Winnie Wong, Country Manager, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, Mastercard.

“Today we are excited to introduce Google Wallet support for our VPBank Mastercard credit and debit cards, which will allow our customers to make seamless and secured payments across a wide range of contactless points of sale, whether online or offline. This initiative is an extension of VPBank’s long-standing partnership with Mastercard, and we look forward to introducing more innovative digital solutions for Vietnamese consumers together,” said Phung Duy Khuong, Standing Deputy CEO cum Head of Retail Banking Division, VPBank.

“Google Wallet is easy to use as you don't need to transfer money into the app. It acts as a digital container that holds digital versions of physical items found in an actual wallet, such as payment cards. You can also easily access boarding passes when jetting off for year-end holidays,” said Chen Way Siew, Google Wallet Partnerships Lead, Google Asia Pacific.

The Mastercard New Payments Index 2022 reveals that 94 per cent of consumers in Vietnam have used at least one digital payment method in the last year, with 60 per cent having used a tappable smartphone mobile wallet in the same period. — VNS