Online payments are booming across Asia, unlocking tremendous growth opportunities for businesses. However, this rapid expansion also brings a hidden risk: many payment gateways quietly impose fees you may not be aware of.
For our partners, each hidden fee is a silent attack on profitability and scalability.

In this article, we’ll uncover the three most common hidden costs faced by businesses in Vietnam and Southeast Asia — and most importantly, show you how to avoid them completely.

At PaymentHot, we commit to 100% transparent pricing. No hidden fees. No unexpected surprises.

Only fast, secure, and flexible payment processing — purpose-built for high-risk industries in Asia and beyond.

1. Separate Gateway and Processing Fees

With many traditional providers, the payment gateway and the payment processor are treated as separate services — meaning two vendors, two systems, and two sets of fees. In Southeast Asia, many providers even add additional costs for connecting with local payment infrastructures such as NAPAS.

You could be paying an extra 1-2% per transaction without realizing it. Over time, these hidden costs quietly erode your margins and increase operational overhead.

Thus, the best solution is to partner with a payment provider that integrates gateway and processing functions into one streamlined platform with transparent, predictable pricing.

PaymentHot consolidates everything you need under one contract, one pricing model — with zero hidden fees.

2. Cross-Border FX Markup Fees

Accepting international payments often means facing hidden currency conversion markups far above market rates — a tactic many payment providers use without full disclosure.

Each transaction could lose 3-5% of its value purely due to FX spread manipulation. This is particularly damaging for merchants in forex, crypto, and cross-border eCommerce.

The smart move: Choose a partner that lets you settle in your preferred currency without automatic forced conversions.

PaymentHot empowers merchants with full control over settlement currencies — no hidden FX markups, ever.

3. Chargeback Management Fees

You may not realize it, but some providers charge an additional $15–$30 per chargeback dispute, quietly draining your cash flow. Worse yet, frequent chargebacks can jeopardize your merchant account standing, risking freezes or terminations.

Prevention is key: Choose a provider that actively prevents fraud and does not impose hidden chargeback management fees.

PaymentHot heavily invests in advanced risk detection technologies and guarantees no hidden fees for chargeback handling.

Strategic Payment Investment for Growth

Asia is a high-growth region — but it’s also packed with hidden fee traps.

The three most concerning hidden costs are:

• Separate Gateway and Processor Fees.

• Untransparent Cross-Border FX Markups.

• Hidden Chargeback Management Fees.

Understanding these risks is critical to protecting your margins and gaining a competitive advantage.

Why PaymentHot Is Trusted by Asian Merchants

• 100% Transparent Pricing: No hidden costs, ever.

• All-in-One Platform: Integrated Gateway, Processor, and Compliance Support.

• Multi-Currency Processing: Settle in 10+ currencies without forced conversions.

• Built-In Fraud Prevention: Reduce chargebacks, safeguard cash flow.

Ready to upgrade your payment strategy in Vietnam and across Asia?

Contact PaymentHot today for expert consultation!