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The year 2024 presents an opportune moment for foreign players to participate in the Vietnam cross-border payment market, supported by favorable legal frameworks, economic policies, and robust infrastructure. This trend is exemplified by the determined partnership between the dynamic MSB Bank and the experienced payment intermediary Baokim, who have joined forces to develop a cross-border payment system. Vietnam’s Cross-border Payments Experience Unprecedented Growth Over the past five years, Vietnam’s cross-border payment market has seen significant expansion, driven by rapid growth in cross-border e-commerce and digital payment services. Regarding cross-border e-commerce, Vietnam is gradually becoming an international e-commerce hub as it ranks among the fastest-growing economies for e-commerce in Southeast Asia. According to Amazon Global Selling, Vietnam and the broader Southeast Asia region are experiencing an annual growth rate of 20% in cross-border e-commerce from 2021 to 2026. Products sold by Vietnamese businesses on Amazon have increased by over 300% in the past five years, with a growing number of small and medium enterprises achieving annual revenues exceeding $1 million solely through this platform. According to Amazon Global Selling, Vietnam benefits from the expansion of online channels from North America, Europe, Australia, Japan, and India, enabling Vietnamese businesses to reach more than 2 billion global customers annually. In terms of growth in digital payments, Vietnam has recorded the highest growth rate among its Southeast Asian counterparts over the past two years (2022 and 2023) and is anticipated to sustain this leadership through 2025. The country's gross merchandise value (GMV) is projected to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%, increasing from $30 billion in 2023 to nearly $45 billion by 2025, according to forecasts from Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company. Vietnam’s leading regional growth in e-commerce and digital payments is largely attributed to government incentives and significant digital technology investments from banks and fintech companies. Representatives of MSB and Baokim signed a cooperation agreement. Photo: MSB. A Golden Era for Cross-border Payments in Vietnam to explode when Free Trade Agreements and Legal Frameworks Reach Maturity To date, Vietnam has signed, joined, and is negotiating 19 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Additionally, Vietnam participates in negotiations within the framework of international trade organizations such as the WTO. This foundation significantly promotes and expands trade relations with other countries and regions. As a result, Vietnam’s foreign trade has grown impressively despite global economic challenges. Between 2018 and 2022, Vietnam’s export-import turnover recorded an average annual growth rate of 11.3%. In 2023, Vietnam marked its eighth consecutive trade surplus, with a record-high surplus estimated at $28 billion, 2.3 times higher than in 2022. Compared to five years ago, Vietnam’s cross-border payment policy system in 2024 has undergone substantial improvements, fostering a favorable environment for foreign trade and cross-border payment growth. Alongside deeper integration with the global economy through FTAs, Vietnam’s legal framework has been aligned with international standards. Foreign exchange policies have been relaxed, enabling easier and more flexible capital inflows and outflows. Regulations governing cross-border payment control and anti-money laundering have been significantly strengthened, enhancing transparency and security in cross-border transactions. The payment system has been digitized significantly, with modern payment technologies emerging. Financial instruments for currency risk insurance are becoming more widely available, and public demand for digital payments has grown considerably, supported by government-led “National Digital Transformation” campaigns. In summary, the year 2024 presents an optimal opportunity for Vietnam’s cross-border payment market to flourish, driven by mature legal and economic policies, increasing public demand for cashless payments, and a solid technological infrastructure. Emergence of Pioneering Alliances to develop Cross-border Payment Services in Vietnam As Vietnam’s cross-border payment market evolves, partnerships between banks, financial institutions, and digital payment service providers have become essential to forge a robust alliance that will drive cross-border payment growth. A pioneering partnership can be seen in the collaboration between the Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB) and Baokim E-commerce Joint Stock Company (Baokim) with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in October 2024 to promote cashless payments, focusing on cross-border payment services. According to VnExpress.net, this collaboration leverages MSB’s expansive network of nearly 300 branches across Vietnam and Baokim’s cutting-edge digital payment technology to deliver comprehensive payment solutions, payment infrastructure, and a range of products and services to partners and clients. Both parties will also introduce each other’s digital offerings to customers seeking these services. MSB and Baokim share a common vision for a cashless society. They are committed not only to developing modern cross-border payment solutions but also to building a smart and sustainable payment ecosystem. The strategic collaboration between a dynamic bank like MSB and an experienced payment intermediary like Baokim represents a significant step forward in Vietnam’s cross-border payment development. With government support and a rising demand for digital payment solutions, Vietnam’s cross-border payment revolution promising to establish Vietnam as a digital finance leader in Southeast Asia Reference Information About MSB Established in 1991, MSB has continuously advanced over its nearly 33-year history, achieving numerous milestones in the financial and banking sector. MSB now has over 260 branches and transaction offices across Vietnam and maintains transactions with more than 500 correspondent banks in over 60 countries and territories. MSB currently employs more than 6,000 staff, serving over 5.4 million individual customers and nearly 100,000 business clients. Website: www.msb.com.vn About Baokim As one of the first licensed payment intermediaries in Vietnam, Baokim E-commerce Joint Stock Company (Baokim) aims to be a pioneer in researching and deploying new payment solution models. Baokim continuously enhances its products and services to meet comprehensive payment needs for hundreds of thousands of businesses and millions of Vietnamese citizens, strongly contributing to digital transformation and cashless payments across various industries. Website: www.baokim.vn According to Techinasia