A New Generation of FDI, New Demands on Payment Infrastructure

According to data from Vietnam’s National Statistics Office, total registered foreign investment in Vietnam reached US$40.63 billion as of August 31, 2026, up 55.4% from the same period a year earlier. Newly registered investment stood at US$21.71 billion, an increase of 96.8%, while realized FDI reached US$17.25 billion, up 12% and the highest level for the same period in five years.

9Pay’s collection and disbursement payment flows for international businesses

The figures highlight Vietnam’s growing appeal as international companies rethink and restructure their global supply chains, value chains and financial operations. For this new generation of FDI, low operating costs are no longer the only consideration when choosing a market.

At a conference on the implementation of Politburo Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW on the development of the foreign-invested economy, Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, highlighted fintech capabilities, advanced management practices, international standards of transparency, data infrastructure, expert networks and connectivity with emerging global value chains as important resources for strengthening Vietnam’s long-term competitiveness.

For foreign companies entering Vietnam, navigating the country’s legal and tax systems, invoicing requirements, banking procedures, data regulations and sector-specific rules can be complex. The challenge becomes even more significant for businesses handling hundreds or thousands of transactions each day.

Enter Vietnam, Operate Locally

For FDI businesses, a payment solution needs to do more than facilitate domestic transactions. It must also integrate with financial and management systems and connect businesses with partners across multiple markets. This is particularly relevant for companies operating cross-border supply chains or multi-market business models.

9Pay provides payment solutions for international businesses

Against this backdrop, Vietnamese fintech companies are playing a growing role in connecting international businesses with the country’s financial infrastructure. Their role extends beyond providing another payment option. By simplifying connectivity, automating transactions and supporting compliance with local operational requirements, fintech platforms can help foreign businesses navigate the practical complexities of entering and operating in Vietnam.

9Pay, the first payment intermediary to join the Da Nang International Financial Center, currently supports more than 1,000 domestic and international business partners. The company has developed technology solutions designed to help businesses manage cash flows, process payments and conduct cross-border transactions.

Through its all-in-one payment platform, 9Pay offers a range of business solutions, including collection and disbursement services, a multi-method payment gateway, and international money transfer services.

On the collection side, businesses can accept payments from customers through bank transfers, QR payments and other supported channels, while managing transactions and reconciliation through the platform.

On the disbursement side, businesses can make payments to bank accounts and other supported channels for purposes ranging from supplier and partner payments to salaries, commissions and batch disbursements.

 For foreign companies entering Vietnam, this model can reduce the need to build payment infrastructure from the ground up while providing a single connection point to the domestic payment ecosystem.

The approach has also gained recognition from the international fintech community. 9Pay was named among the Top 3 finalists in the Fintech Partner category at The Asia FinTech Awards 2026, a leading fintech awards program in Asia.

Connecting with Global Financial Flows

As FDI businesses scale up, their financial flows increasingly extend beyond domestic transactions. Funds may move regularly between Vietnamese operations and overseas parent companies, partners and suppliers, making cross-border payment capabilities an important part of financial operations.

Through 9Remit, its international money transfer platform for businesses, 9Pay supports cross-border payment requirements with T+0 transaction processing and real-time foreign exchange rates through its Live FX service.

As financial technology continues to evolve, technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital assets are also opening up new possibilities for financial infrastructure.

At the Da Nang International Financial Center, 9Pay is researching and testing new fintech models within the framework of the center’s sandbox-oriented development.

The broader objective is to explore secure infrastructure connecting digital assets with the real economy, potentially enabling businesses to conduct transactions, digitize financial operations and deploy capital more efficiently.