# First steps with Payments

Try VietQR payments safely in Development, link your bank account, then switch to Production and take your first real transfer.

The Payments module lets customers pay by bank transfer with a VietQR code. The money goes straight into your own bank account, and Ha Tang matches each transfer to the right payment, so you do not have to check your bank app. You can also issue e-invoices. To set it up you need **Payments: Manage**, or to be an owner or admin.

Before you start, make sure **Payments** is on in **Settings → Business settings → Modules** ([Turn modules on and off](https://hatang.dev/help/getting-started/modules)).

## Development and Production

Payments has two separate environments, shown in the coloured bar at the top of every Payments page:

| Environment | What happens |
|---|---|
| **Development** (amber bar) | No real bank and the e-invoice provider's test system. A payment is only marked paid when you simulate the transfer or mark it yourself. Use it to learn and to test. |
| **Production** (red bar) | Your real bank accounts and real money; e-invoices go to the tax office. |

Switch with the **Development** and **Production** buttons in the bar. Switching to Production asks for confirmation. Each environment has its own payments, bank links and settings.

![Payments → Overview, with the checklist and the environment bar](https://hatang.dev/help/img/en/getting-started/payments-overview.webp)

## 1. Try it in Development

1. Open **Payments → Overview** and make sure the bar says **Development**.
2. Follow the **Get started in Development** checklist: link the simulated bank account first.
3. Create a test payment with an amount and a description, and simulate the transfer.

You see the whole flow, from the QR code to the payment marked as paid, without moving any money.

## 2. Link your real bank account

1. Switch the bar to **Production**.
2. In **Payments → Payments settings**, add your bank account (**Add bank account**) and follow your bank's steps.

[Link a bank account](https://hatang.dev/help/payments/link-bank-account) lists the banks Ha Tang works with and what each one needs.

## 3. Go live

Check [Go live with payments](https://hatang.dev/help/payments/go-live) before your first real customer: the account the money goes to, who on your team may create payments and refunds, and, if you need them, e-invoices ([E-invoice providers](https://hatang.dev/help/payments/einvoice-providers)).

## 4. Take payments every day

- Create a [payment request](https://hatang.dev/help/payments/payment-requests) and send its QR code or link to the customer.
- Send a payment request right inside a chat conversation ([Payment in chat](https://hatang.dev/help/products/payment-in-chat)).
- Follow incoming money in **Payments → Transactions** ([Transactions and matching](https://hatang.dev/help/payments/transactions-and-matching)).

## Who does what

| Task | Level needed |
|---|---|
| See payments and transactions | **Payments: View** |
| Create payments and invoices | **Payments: Work** |
| Refunds, bank accounts, e-invoice providers, settings | **Payments: Manage** |

Give your accountant the **Finance** template ([Employees and roles](https://hatang.dev/help/account/employees-and-roles)).