Seamlessly Using Bakong Tourists App And Wing Bank’s Services
The National Bank of Cambodia’s (NBC) Bakong Tourists App was soft-launched in 2024, and is intended to promote the tourism sector in Cambodia by providing convenient and seamless digital payments for international tourists within the Kingdom. Wing Bank is a proud recognised partner of the initiative.
The Bakong Tourists app is available to download via the Android Google Play Store and the iOS App Store and is easy to set up and register. Once an account is created, tourists and foreign visitors can make digital payments to more than 3.3 million retail merchants across Cambodia via mobile payments (such as via KHQR) and at 55,000 POS (point-of-service) vendors.
This means that for the first time, the already popular Bakong payment systems are available to non-residents, and international visitors can use Bakong as well. The NBC blockchain-backed system, which serves as a backbone for the new tourist app, was officially launched in October 2020 in Cambodia and currently has 72 member institutions.
Why Is The Bakong Tourists App Beneficial?
The Bakong Tourists App makes it easier for tourists to download and experience QR code payments in Cambodia, but they can do much more.
The launch of the Bakong Tourists App is intended to support the Cambodian government's policy of developing a digital economy and society while making Cambodia a more attractive tourist destination.
- Visitors can easily and safely top up their Bakong Tourists App wallet with local banks such as Wing Bank;
- Make use of cashless transactions at participating vendors via digital payments and KHQR payments in Cambodia (in Khmer Riel and US dollars);
- Send money to another account via account ID or phone number, or generate a KHQR to receive money;
- The balance in the wallet can also be used to make payments in partner countries.
How Does The Bakong Tourists App Work With Wing Bank?
The Bakong Tourists app is being promoted at Cambodia airports and entry points to make it convenient for international visitors to download upon their arrival.
The NBC is working with the General Department of Immigration, tour associations, hotels and other stakeholders, such as Wing Bank, to promote the app to tourists visiting the Kingdom.
How To Top Up Bakong Tourists App Wallet With Wing Bank Cambodia
- Once the Bakong Tourists App has been downloaded and an account created, users can make deposits at any Wing Bank, Wing Bank Agent, or Wing Master.
- Customers can cash into the app using the Wing branches and agents
- Bakong Tourists app customers can also withdraw money from their account using Wing Bank, Wing Bank Agent, or Wing Master.
During the soft launch, users who register only using an email are limited to USD 500 per day but any user that completes the KYC (Know-Your-Customer) process and Passport ID verification on the Bakong Tourists App has a limit of up to USD 3,000 per day.
It should be noted that in the future, further functionality in the app, such as direct transfer from the customer's credit or debit card to the Bakong Tourist App, should become available.
Wing Banks – There 21 branches across Phnom Penh and various provinces which offer a comprehensive range of services, including deposits, loans, insurance, domestic and international money transfers, utility payments, access to ATMs and Cash Recycling Machines, and more.
Wing Bank Agents – There are 11,000 Wing Bank Agents nationwide who can assist with the Bakong Tourists App deposits and transfers. Additionally, there are more than 80 Wing Master Agents, which are financial service centres that offer a range of services to customers, including cash in and cash out, local money transfers, bill payments, and requesting Master and Visa cards. Wing Master Agents are located near Wing Bank Agents to ensure quick financial services and are generally open Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM.