The government is aiming high for non-cash transactions, demanding that payments for public services be made for the most part via banks by 2020.
The prime minister has approved a plan to promote payments for public services such as taxes, electricity and water bills, school and hospital fees and social welfares via banks. The plan will help promote non-cash payments in many areas including public services, contributing to developing the e-Government and enhancing the use of banking services.
All universities and colleges will have to accept tuition fee payments via banks by 2020 and 80 percent of students of universities and colleges should pay their fees via bank accounts.
By 2020, some 80 percent of tax payments in cities are to be made via banks, so are all payments at State treasuries of centrally-governed cities and provinces as well as cities, towns and districts of centrally-governed provinces for State budget revenue collection.
In addition, 70 percent of energy companies will accept power bill payments via banks and the same rate is also scheduled for water suppliers. Up to 50 percent of individuals and households in large cities will also pay water bills via banks.
Meanwhile, half of hospitals in large cities will accept payments for medical services via banks by 2020.
According to the State Bank of Vietnam’s website, HCM City has piloted online payment solutions at the municipal Departments of Health, Planning-Investment and Natural Resources-Environment since early this year. Such solutions have been integrated on the websites of the foresaid departments and the city’s public services portal at https://dichvucong.hochiminh.city.gov.vn.
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