Payment methods in Laos
Mobile devices account for nearly 75% of e-commerce traffic in Laos.
Market takeaways
- Mobile devices account for nearly 75% of e-commerce traffic in Laos.
- BCEL OnePay is the leading QR payment platform, connected to the national interbank QR infrastructure.
- Only about 1.5 million bank accounts exist across 42 banks, serving a population of approximately 7.5 million.
- In December 2024, Laos and China launched a cross-border QR payment system connecting LAPNet and UnionPay networks.
- Cash-on-delivery remains popular but is gradually declining as mobile wallet adoption grows.
Population
7.5M
Online population
~3.5M
Banked population
~30%
Credit card population
<5%
Payment method breakdown
- Cash60%
- Mobile Wallet / QR25%
- Card10%
- Bank Transfer5%
Card scheme breakdown
Market data coming soon.
Cross-border e-commerce
Market data coming soon.
Featured payment methods in Laos
Popular options based on coverage and prominence in this market.
UnionPay
The dominant card scheme in Macau due to the large volume of mainland Chinese visitors and gamblers. UnionPay cards are accepted at casinos, hotels, and most merchants. As of November 2024, foreign-issued UnionPay cards can link directly with Alipay and WeChat Pay for added convenience.
Vietnam-Laos Cross-Border QR
A bilateral QR payment system launched between Laos and Vietnam, enabling tourists and businesses to make digital payments across the border using their home banking apps. Part of the Greater Mekong Subregion's digital integration initiative.
LDB (Lao Development Bank) App
Mobile banking application from Lao Development Bank, one of the state-owned banks serving the Laos market. LDB's app supports transfers and QR-based payments, part of the growing bank-led mobile payment landscape.
LaoPay
A mobile wallet platform operating in Laos, part of the growing ecosystem of digital payment options. LaoPay supports mobile transfers and merchant payments for registered users.
BCEL OnePay
Laos's leading QR code payment platform, operated by BCEL (Banque Pour Le Commerce Extérieur Lao). OnePay allows cardholders to pay anyone, anywhere directly from their bank account using QR codes. BCEL also launched a dedicated tourist payment app during Visit Laos Year 2024.
UnionPay (cross-border)
Following the December 2024 launch of a cross-border QR system between Laos and China, UnionPay mobile app users can make QR payments across participating LAPNet merchants. This is significant given the large volume of Chinese tourism and trade with Laos.
All payment methods in Laos
Discover 6 payment methods from around the world
Featured banks in Laos
Major institutions operating in this market.
Maybank
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Maybank is Malaysia's largest bank and one of Southeast Asia's top financial groups, with a strong ASEAN franchise offering retail, SME, corporate, and Islamic banking.
BIDV (Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam)
Hanoi, Vietnam
BIDV is Vietnam's largest bank by total assets, a state-owned bank focused on infrastructure financing, retail, and corporate banking.
BCEL (Banque pour le Commerce Extérieur Lao)
Vientiane, Laos
BCEL is Laos' largest state-owned commercial bank, offering retail, SME, and trade finance.
Other Banks — Laos
Vientiane, Laos
Aggregate of remaining banks in Laos, collectively ~80.0% of domestic banking assets.
All banks in Laos
Showing 4 of 4 banks
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