Dheeraj Raina, Senior Vice President and Head of Integrated Marketing & Communication, South East Asia, at Mastercard made the statement during his meeting in Hanoi on March 18 with Nguyen Trung Khanh, director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), to discuss future cooperation in advancing Vietnam’s tourism industry.

He outlined Mastercard’s plans to support Vietnam’s tourism industry through data-driven insights, global marketing initiatives, and digital transformation to enhance the visitor experience. He also proposed signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise cooperation, aiming to position Vietnam as a leading regional destination while boosting both international and domestic tourism.

These initiatives, he said, are expected to benefit local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

According to the executive, Mastercard plans to leverage its global network to expand retail and service ecosystems, creating more opportunities for visitor spending. Drawing on successful pilot programmes in the Republic of Korea and India, the company highlighted the effectiveness of digital marketing via platforms such as Facebook and Instagram in reaching international travelers. Targeted promotions at airports, shopping centers, transport hubs, and entertainment venues were also proposed as practical measures to increase arrivals and spending.

VNAT chief Nguyen Trung Khanh, for his part, welcomed Mastercard’s proposals, noting they align with Vietnam’s tourism development strategy. He emphasised the importance of finalising the cooperation agreement and expressed confidence that the partnership would help position Vietnam as a high-value destination known for quality experiences and cultural identity.

In the near term, he said, VNAT plans to work with Mastercard on a launch event to draw media attention and implement joint promotion campaigns in key international markets. Future initiatives will focus on digital communication, smart tourism solutions, and enhanced visitor experiences at major destinations such as Da Nang and Ha Long.

Mastercard reaffirms commitment to supporting Vietnam’s cashless future

Mastercard presented an overview of Vietnam’s remarkable transition toward digital payments, while highlighting a series of innovative initiatives that promote more modern, safe, and seamless cashless spending behaviours at the recent '“Cashless Day 2025' conference.