The event was attended by leaders of the Government, the State Bank of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City authorities, as well as representatives from businesses, banks, and financial technology organisations.

Delivering a keynote address at the seminar “Smart payments driving digital finance,” held as part of Digital Finance Day 2026, Party Central Committee member and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang emphasised that Viet Nam is witnessing a profound transformation in consumer behaviour and financial management practices.

From being a novel payment method, digital payments have now become a necessity for both individuals and businesses.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, cashless payments have become the “connecting artery” of the digital economy, linking the banking sector with e-commerce, healthcare, education, transport, tourism, public services, and numerous other digital platforms. Together with digital data, digital identity, and digital connectivity, digital payments are helping to establish a more modern, transparent, and convenient financial infrastructure.

However, the Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted several challenges, including the digital divide, limited access to financial services among certain segments of the population, the need to safeguard personal data, and the requirement to strengthen cybersecurity amid increasingly sophisticated high-tech crime.

To further advance digital finance, the Deputy Prime Minister called on the State Bank of Viet Nam to continue improving the regulatory and policy framework. He also urged ministries, sectors, and local authorities to accelerate the adoption of electronic payments in public services and expand access to financial services in rural, remote, and underserved areas.

At the same time, he requested banks and technology companies to enhance service quality while ensuring information security and protecting consumer rights.