Laos’ Lao National Payment Network Company Limited (LAPNet) and China’s UnionPay International (UPI) have officially signed an agreement to implement a QR code-based payment system connecting their networks.

This initiative allows tourists from both countries to conduct cashless transactions.

Currently, QR code payments are available for Chinese tourists in Laos, with similar options expected for Laotian travelers returning from China soon.

Terms of the Agreement

Payments made through this system will be facilitated between members of LAPNet and UPI via the UnionPay mobile app, which supports over 160 e-wallets across 37 countries.

The system enables UnionPay users to make payments at merchants linked to eight LAPNet member banks such as Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL), Joint Development Bank (JDB), and Agricultural Promotion Bank (APB).

The first phase, dubbed China Scan Laos, is now operational; therefore, Chinese tourists can conveniently pay without cash while traveling in Laos.

In contrast, the upcoming second phase, Laos Scan China, will soon cater to Lao tourists in China, although an official launch date is still pending.

This collaboration places China as the fourth country with a cross-border payment agreement with Laos, following similar arrangements made with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.