Sacombank is enhancing its services for Vietnamese travelers with a new program offering cashback and free installment conversions for Visa credit cardholders in South Korea. This initiative applies to transactions from one million dong, with flexible installment terms of three and six months. Cardholders can conveniently manage the entire process, including registration, confirmation, and transaction tracking, directly through the Sacombank Pay app, aligning with modern digital banking habits.

The program directly addresses the growing trend of Vietnamese tourists viewing trips to South Korea as "shopping trips." South Korea consistently ranks as a top destination for Vietnamese travelers. According to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) in Vietnam, the country anticipates welcoming nearly 550,000 Vietnamese visitors in 2025, a 9% increase from the previous year. This surge in visitors, particularly towards the year-end, coincides with bustling shopping districts in cities like Seoul, Busan, and Incheon, where festive discounts and new product launches in fashion, cosmetics, and technology are common.

However, the appeal of extensive shopping often leads to substantial expenses. High-value technology products, beauty services, and personal care items in South Korea can create financial strain if paid for in a single lump sum. Sacombank's flexible payment solutions help users manage their budget throughout their trip, rather than concentrating payments at one time. This approach allows for spreading out cash flow and optimizing budgets, ensuring a complete shopping experience without immediate financial pressure.

Tourists in South Korea. Photo: Sacombank

The move reflects a broader trend of installment buying gaining popularity in Vietnam. Market surveys show that over 60% of young consumers have used or are willing to use this payment method, especially for electronics, fashion, and beauty products. The development of financial technology enables banks, including Sacombank, to expand installment models to international markets. This allows users to access more convenient cross-border shopping experiences and aligns with the bank's strategy to meet customers' flexible spending needs during international travel.

Beyond this new offer, Sacombank provides a range of Visa card options tailored to diverse customer requirements. For instance, the Sacombank Vietnam Airlines Visa card allows cardholders to accumulate Golden Lotus miles, features a low 0.5% foreign currency conversion fee, and includes global travel insurance with benefits up to 11.6 billion dong. Additionally, the eco-friendly Sacombank Visa Platinum O2 card, made from recycled ocean plastic, helps users track their CO2 emissions per transaction, promoting sustainable spending habits.

Hoang Dan