What is the Napas Card in Viet Nam?

About NAPAS - NAPAS For a cashless society

National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) is the payment intermediary licensed to provide financial switching and electronic clearing services in Vietnam. The main shareholders of NAPAS are the State Bank of Vietnam and commercial banks.

napas logo

As the national financial switching company and provider of retail payment infrastructure for the economy, NAPAS has been coordinating with Banks, Payment Intermediaries and Partners to provide payment services through cards and bank accounts, contributing to the diversification of the cashless payment system in Vietnam. At the same time, NAPAS also expands the international switching services through cooperation with stakeholders including the Asian Payment Network (APN), international card organizations, and national payment institutions, etc.

In the upcoming time, NAPAS continues to orientate our development, aiming to become the most reliable retail payment network for the Government, Banks, Payment Intermediaries, customers and partners.

Website: https://en.napas.com.vn/

What is Napas Card?

A NAPAS card in Vietnam is a domestic payment card issued by Vietnamese banks through the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) for transactions within the country. These chip-based cards, identified by a NAPAS logo and card numbers starting with '9704', support activities like ATM withdrawals, POS purchases, and fund transfers, offering a safe and convenient cashless payment method.

Key features of NAPAS cards

  • Domestic use: NAPAS cards are designed for the Vietnamese market, allowing purchases at millions of POS terminals and withdrawals from ATMs across the country.
  • Security: They utilize modern chip card technology (VCCS standards) to prevent fraudulent transactions and ensure secure payments.
  • Convenience: Transactions are simplified; for example, contactless cards can be tapped on card readers for quick payment without PINs for smaller amounts.
  • Account management: Users can manage their accounts, check balances, transfer funds, and make cash deposits.
  • Bank integration: NAPAS works with over 60 member banks and financial institutions to issue and manage these cards.
  • Co-badged cards: New NAPAS co-badged cards integrate domestic and international payment capabilities, such as with Mastercard, to offer users both national and global payment options.

NAPAS’s customers

NAPAS Domestic Card
NAPAS FastFund 247
NAPAS FastFund 247 with VietQR Code

NAPAS’s customers

For Banks
For Payment Intermediaries
For Other Customers

FAQ

How to use Napas in Vietnam?

You can use NAPAS in Vietnam through various methods, including NAPAS 247 instant transfers via online/mobile banking or by scanning a VietQR code, using a NAPAS debit card at ATMs or POS terminals, or through the NAPAS payment gateway for online purchases. For instant transfers, use a bank's mobile app to scan a QR code or input recipient details to send money instantly to accounts in participating banks. For in-person payments, use your NAPAS card with either contactless technology or by inserting it and entering your PIN on a POS device. Online, the gateway will handle transactions using your card or linked bank account.

How to use NAPAS

Instant Transfers and VietQR codes:

  • Use your bank's mobile app (like HSBC or others) to initiate a transfer.
  • Scan the recipient's VietQR code or manually enter their account details.
  • Select "Instant transfer NAPAS 247" as the payment method.
  • Funds are transferred instantly between participating banks.

ATM and POS terminals:

  • Contactless cards: Tap or wave your NAPAS card on the contactless symbol of a POS reader to complete transactions, often without a PIN for smaller amounts.
  • Contact cards: Insert the chip-enabled card into the reader and enter your PIN on the terminal.

Online Payments:

  • When checking out on a Vietnamese website or app, select NAPAS or a similar option.
  • You may be redirected to a NAPAS payment gateway portal to complete the transaction.
  • Provide your domestic card details or log in to your online banking to authorize the payment.

To get started

  • For transfers: You must have an account with a bank that participates in the NAPAS network and have online or mobile banking set up.
  • For card payments: Apply for a NAPAS debit card from a Vietnamese bank. You may need specific documents to open an account.
  • For online payments: Ensure your domestic card is enabled for online transactions or that your bank's online banking is activated.

Step 1: Contact Napas’s representative business representative to register an account.

Step 2: Sign in to the Developer Portal once your account is created.

Step 3: Create application based on the service package and wait for Napas’s approval.

Step 4: Once approved, use the application information to integrate the service.

NAPAS Payment Gateway Service (E-commerce) allows customers of Issuing members to make payment for goods and services on online transaction channels (website, mobile apps,...) of merchants in the network developed by NAPAS and Acquiring members. Online payment can be made by different payment instruments such as domestic cards, bank accounts and VietQR code.

A NAPAS 247 express transfer is virtually instant, with the money typically arriving in the recipient's account within 7-10 seconds after the transaction is confirmed. The service is designed for real-time, 24/7 transactions, including on holidays and weekends.

  • Processing time: The transfer should be completed within seconds after the transaction is confirmed.
  • Availability: NAPAS 247 works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.
  • Receiving the funds: The beneficiary receives the money immediately into their account, whether the transfer is to an account number or a card number.
  • Potential delays: While rare, a delay is possible if the receiving bank has a specific policy or system that causes the funds to be held longer. However, the NAPAS 247 service is designed for immediate transfers.
  • Address: Room 909, Floor 9, Sai Gon Tower, 29 Le Duan Str., Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh City
  • Telephone : +84 28 3825 1386
  • Website: https://en.napas.com.vn/

The best "wallet" for traveling in Vietnam is a combination of a physical RFID-blocking wallet for essentials and a digital one like MoMo, ZaloPay, or VNPay for convenience. A physical wallet with RFID protection is recommended for security, while a digital wallet is ideal for a wide range of cashless transactions, especially in urban areas.
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Digital wallet recommendations

  • MoMo, ZaloPay, and VNPay: These local e-wallets are widely used in Vietnam and can be linked to international cards for convenient payments at many businesses, including street food stalls, shops, and ride-hailing services.
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay: International options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are becoming more widely adopted in Vietnam, particularly for contactless payments, adding another layer of convenience.


How to choose and use
Carry both: For the most secure and convenient experience, carry both a physical wallet and a digital wallet.


Secure your physical wallet: Keep your physical wallet in a secure, hard-to-reach place, such as a front pocket.


Keep extra cash separate: Carry a small amount of cash in your physical wallet for places that may not accept digital payments, and keep the rest in a hotel safe.


Use digital wallets for most transactions: Use digital wallets for daily transactions like paying for food, transportation, and shopping to reduce the amount of cash you need to carry.


Stay aware of your surroundings: Be mindful of your belongings and avoid flashing large amounts of cash, especially in crowded areas.

NAPAS Member Organizations