KHQR is the official national QR code payment standard for Cambodia, launched by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) in July 2022. It enables any bank or e-wallet user to pay any merchant with a single unified QR code — eliminating the fragmented multi-QR landscape that previously complicated digital payments.
KHQR (Khmer QR) is Cambodia's national QR code payment standard, developed and maintained by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC). It is built on the internationally recognised EMVCo QR code specification, ensuring compatibility with global payment networks.
KHQR operates on top of the Bakong payment infrastructure. When a merchant displays a KHQR code, any customer with a participating bank app or e-wallet can scan it and complete payment — regardless of which financial institution they use. This interoperability is the core innovation: merchants no longer need separate QR codes for ABA Bank, Wing Bank, TrueMoney, and other providers.
According to NBC data, more than 4.5 million merchants had adopted Bakong or KHQR payments by 2025, spanning everything from large supermarkets to individual street vendors.
KHQR acceptance has expanded rapidly since its 2022 launch. The following categories of merchants commonly display KHQR codes across Cambodia:
A major advantage of KHQR is its interoperability with foreign QR payment systems. As of June 2026, the NBC has established bilateral QR payment linkages with six countries, allowing tourists and businesses to pay Cambodian merchants directly from their home country's payment apps.
| Country | Payment App | Year Linked |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | PromptPay | 2023 (live) |
| Malaysia | DuitNow | 2023 (live) |
| Vietnam | VietQR | 2024 (live) |
| South Korea | Kakao Pay | 2024 (live) |
| Japan | Various | 2024 (live) |
| China | Alipay+ | 2024 (live) |
Source: National Bank of Cambodia, TransFi (2025–2026)
In November 2024, the NBC launched the Bakong Tourists App, specifically designed to help international visitors use KHQR payments in Cambodia. Tourists can download the app, link an international Mastercard or Visa card, and immediately begin paying at any KHQR-accepting merchant across the country.
This initiative supports Cambodia's broader tourism strategy and reduces reliance on cash exchanges. The Phnom Penh Post has reported that the Bakong Tourists App has been particularly popular among visitors from China, South Korea, and Japan — countries with established QR payment cultures.
KHQR is based on the EMVCo QR Code Specification for Payment Systems, the same international standard used by PromptPay (Thailand), PayNow (Singapore), and UPI (India). This compliance ensures that KHQR can be integrated with global payment networks and supports both static QR codes (fixed merchant identifier) and dynamic QR codes (amount-specific, generated per transaction).
The NBC publishes the KHQR Content Guideline and integration documentation for developers and financial institutions wishing to implement KHQR acceptance. The standard supports both KHR and USD transactions.