Consolidated Decision on Payment Rules for Trade at Vietnam-Cambodia Border Areas
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The State Bank of Vietnam has issued Consolidated Document No. 26/VBHN-NHNN, merging Decision 17/2004/QD-NHNN with three rounds of amendments (2011, 2015, and most recently Circular 75/2025/TT-NHNN, effective December 31, 2025) governing payment methods for trade in goods and services at Vietnam-Cambodia border areas. The rules apply only to transactions conducted at the border areas themselves, not to Vietnam-Cambodia trade in general. The affected parties are Vietnamese enterprises, licensed household import-export traders, border residents, commercial banks operating in border provinces, and Cambodian trading partners. Five payment methods are permitted: bank transfer in freely convertible currency, payment via a Cambodian trader's VND or foreign-currency account at a Vietnamese bank, payment via VND-KHR accounts between banks of the two countries, cash payment in VND or KHR (with a customs declaration requirement when carrying cash across the border), and barter. The most notable change in this update is administrative in nature: the term 'State Bank Branch of the province' was renamed 'State Bank Regional Branch' to reflect the central bank's reorganization, one now-unused payment method (point d of Article 3 and all of Article 8) was repealed, and the periodic reporting template was replaced. Businesses engaged in Cambodia border trade and the banks that serve them should update their reporting templates and the name of the recipient agency, but the update does not create significant new obligations.
Overview
Consolidated Document No. 26/VBHN-NHNN (dated January 20, 2026), issued by the State Bank of Vietnam, consolidates Decision 17/2004/QD-NHNN (effective February 6, 2004) on the payment regulation for the sale, purchase, and exchange of goods and trade services in Vietnam-Cambodia border areas, together with amendments under:
- Circular 25/2011/TT-NHNN (effective October 14, 2011)
- Circular 29/2015/TT-NHNN (effective February 8, 2016)
- Circular 75/2025/TT-NHNN (effective December 31, 2025) - the most recent amendment, implementing a plan to cut and simplify administrative procedures in foreign-exchange management
Scope and Applicable Entities
The regulation governs payments for the sale, purchase, and exchange of goods and trade services between Vietnamese and Cambodian traders conducted at the Vietnam-Cambodia border areas. Transactions not conducted at the border areas must use standard international bank payment methods in freely convertible currency and fall outside this regulation.
It applies to: Vietnamese enterprises of all economic sectors, licensed household import-export traders, border residents, Vietnamese commercial banks, and Cambodian traders (organizations and individuals) transacting with Vietnamese traders at the border.
Payment Methods (Articles 3, 4)
- Through licensed banks of both countries in freely convertible currency (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY) per international practice
- In freely convertible currency or VND, via accounts Cambodian traders open at licensed Vietnamese banks
- In VND and Cambodian Riel (KHR), via accounts at licensed banks in Vietnam's border provinces and Cambodian commercial banks under correspondent payment agreements
- In VND and KHR cash
- By barter (goods-for-goods)
Note: point d) of Article 3 (a separate payment form) and Article 8 were repealed by Circular 75/2025/TT-NHNN, effective December 31, 2025.
Cash Payment Rules (Article 9)
When carrying VND or KHR cash across the border to settle export/import transactions, traders must declare the amount to Border Customs and present the sale contract and the export/import goods declaration for verification; a bank-issued permit to carry cash currency or VND abroad is no longer required. The cash amount must match the payment value stated in the signed contract.
Reporting Requirements (Article 12)
Quarterly, banks handling payments with Cambodia must report to the State Bank's Regional Branch by the 5th day of the following quarter; the Regional Branch consolidates and reports to the Foreign Exchange Management Department (State Bank of Vietnam) by the 10th day of the following quarter.
Key Changes Under Circular 75/2025/TT-NHNN
- Renamed 'State Bank Branch of the province (city)' to 'State Bank Regional Branch,' reflecting the State Bank's organizational restructuring
- Repealed point d) of Article 3 and all of Article 8 (one payment method)
- Replaced the reporting template in Appendix 5; repealed Appendices 1, 2, and 4
- The consolidated-report recipient changed to the Foreign Exchange Management Department (formerly the Foreign Exchange Management Bureau)
Penalties (Article 13)
Organizations and individuals that violate the regulation are subject to disciplinary action, administrative penalties, or criminal liability depending on the nature and severity of the violation, and must compensate for any damage caused as required by law.