Efforts needed to increase cashless payments in remote areas

Speakers at the seminar (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Measures to expand the use of cashless payments in rural and far-flung areas were discussed at a seminar hosted by the Government News on December 13.

Pham Anh Tuan, Director of the Payment Department under the State Bank of Vietnam, said that Vietnam has gained achievements in implementing non-cash payments in remote, rural and island areas.

As of late September, there were 2.34 million mobile money subscribers, of which 1.62 million, or 69.2%, were from rural and island areas.

To date, three service providers, Viettel, VNPT and MobiFone, have established more than 82,200 transaction points, and there are currently more than 14,500 units accepting cards. At present, around 15 million mobile money transactions with a total value of nearly 950 billion VND (40.38 million USD) have been made.

With just phone numbers, users across the country can make cashless transactions easily through a Mobile Money account, regardless of internet connection or bank account.

Truong Quang Viet, Deputy Director General of Viettel Digital, said that potential remains huge for mobile money development in Vietnam.

Viettel Digital expects to have 2 million mobile money users by the end of this year, 60% of whom live in rural and far-flung areas, he added./.

VNA