Log in
Business

Vietnam has ambition to provide Mobile Money: Minister

Mobile Money allows people to deposit money into a network even without a bank account.

If the mobile payment platform is licensed for trial in 2019, Vietnam will be the 91st country in the world to provide Mobile Money services, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said at the workshop titled "Electronic money on mobile subscribers to promote financial inclusion" in Hanoi on May 23.

Hung said that by the end of 2018, 90 countries in the world were accepting Mobile Money, with nearly 900 million users, the daily transaction volume totaling US$1.3 billion, and annual growth rate of 20%. In many countries, the percentage of people using Mobile Money already tops 50%.
 
Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung makes speech at the event. Photo: Trong Dat
Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung makes speech at the event. Photo: Trong Dat
The minister noted that in Vietnam, 99% of transactions below VND100,000 (US$4.3) are in cash. Mobile Money will be a powerful solution to promote non-cash payments for small value transactions.

If Mobile Money is deployed, people will be able to transfer money, pay or receive money through their cellphone account. Mobile Money allows people to deposit money into a network even without a bank account. People can also use money in their cellphone account to send to each other or buy goods with small value, Hung said.

He also stressed that there will be many legal issues to be settled for Mobile Money, as well as challenges and risks, but Mobile Money provides much more benefits.

Mobile Money is e-commerce, entrepreneurship and innovation

According to Minister Nguyen Manh Hung, people mention a lot about e-commerce, entrepreneurship and innovation, but they forget mentioning one of the most important foundations which is payment tool.

"For a service that is popular with 100% of people, first of all, payment platform must access 100% of the people. There is no better way to do this than Mobile Money. In Vietnam, the proportion of people using credit cards is low, but the mobile subscriber density is over 100% for many years,” Hung said.
 
Mobile Money is e-commerce, entrepreneurship and innovation. Photo: Internet
Mobile Money is e-commerce, entrepreneurship and innovation. Photo: GettyImages
He added that Mobile Money will be a powerful solution to promote non-cash payment. Technology can help solve the country's numerous issues, but before that, people must change, dare to change and dare to accept new models.

Mobile Money’s benefits in developing Vietnam's digital economy

In Vietnam, many people are excluded from orthodox financial systems. They are poor people in rural or remote areas.

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that Mobile Money will help people access (paid) services with life-changing nature on the Internet platform such as healthcare, education, finance, employment and social security.

In developing countries, about 15% of adults earn revenues from selling agricultural products. However, most of them make transactions cash. This form of payment is inconvenient, inefficient and contains many risks. Farmers cannot sell their products to a remote customer if they only buy and sell in cash.

Mobile Money can help dwellers buy a bunch of banana from a specific person in a garden and even under the shade of the tree. Therefore, farmers can also sell agricultural products at high prices. That's how the mobile payment platform penetrates into rural market and digitizes agricultural value chain.

Not only that, thanks to Mobile Money, there will appear more digital businesses and technology startups. With a simple and easy way of trading, it will not be too surprising if Mobile Money becomes the most popular payment method and contributes to creating a boom for Vietnamese startups.

Therefore, although there are still many legal issues that need to be settled, Minister Hung believes that Vietnamese people will soon see the launching for Mobile Money in 2019.
Reactions:
Share:
Trending
Most Viewed
Modern high-tech agriculture models drive greener, safer farming in Hanoi

Modern high-tech agriculture models drive greener, safer farming in Hanoi

The Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Environment highlights the city’s efforts to modernize agriculture through high-tech, safe and sustainable models aligned with market demand.

Hanoi targets top five in FTA Index to boost trade competitiveness

Hanoi targets top five in FTA Index to boost trade competitiveness

Hanoi is accelerating efforts to improve its Free Trade Agreement Implementation Index (FTA Index) performance, targeting a top-five national ranking in 2025 through stronger business support, green transition measures and enhanced competitiveness in global trade.

CMC proposes nearly $800-million innovation city project in Ho Chi Minh City

CMC proposes nearly $800-million innovation city project in Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnamese tech giant CMC Group plans to develop a science, technology and innovation urban area in Ho Chi Minh City's Can Gio Commune spanning up to 200 hectares with an investment of up to VND20 trillion (US$760 million).

Vietnam opens investment path to become global semiconductor hub

Vietnam opens investment path to become global semiconductor hub

Vietnam is now home to over 170 foreign-invested semiconductor projects totaling nearly US$11.6 billion in registered capital, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong revealed at the SEMIEXPO Vietnam 2025 opening in Hanoi.

Billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong launches aerospace company VinSpace

Billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong launches aerospace company VinSpace

Vietnam’s richest billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong has taken another bold step into high-tech frontiers with the launch of VinSpace, an aerospace company focused on aircraft, spacecraft and satellite manufacturing, marking Vingroup’s latest strategic diversification move.

EuroCham’s Green Economy Forum 2025: turning climate ambitions into action

EuroCham’s Green Economy Forum 2025: turning climate ambitions into action

The Green Economy Forum 2025 in Hanoi will unite policymakers, business leaders and innovators to transform Europe-Vietnam climate cooperation into real-world solutions, advancing sustainability, clean energy and green growth.

Hanoi exceeds energy efficiency targets with stronger public and business action

Hanoi exceeds energy efficiency targets with stronger public and business action

Hanoi exceeded its 2021–2025 energy efficiency targets, saving 705.7 kTOE and cutting power losses to 3.4%, thanks to citywide participation from households, businesses and public organizations.

Vietnam’s logistics sector accelerates green transition to boost sustainable competitiveness

Vietnam’s logistics sector accelerates green transition to boost sustainable competitiveness

Vietnam’s logistics industry is entering a decisive stage of green transformation as businesses and policymakers work together to reduce emissions, cut costs and build sustainable supply chains. The shift is becoming vital for competitiveness amid global requirements on carbon reduction and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards.