TL;DR
Vietnam’s government issued Decree No. 342 to tighten online advertising rules, taking effect February 15, 2026. The rules cap unskippable video and animated ad wait times at five seconds, require static ads to be cancellable, and impose user-facing controls and reporting options; the decree also restricts ads for 11 product and service categories.
What happened
Vietnam published Decree No. 342 to amend provisions of its national Advertising Law, with the revisions scheduled to take effect on February 15, 2026. The decree introduces new user-experience requirements for online advertising: video and animated ads may not force viewers to wait more than five seconds before a skip option appears, and static ads must be immediately cancellable. Platforms must provide a clear, single-interaction way for users to close ads and are barred from using misleading or ambiguous symbols intended to confuse viewers. The measure also compels online services to display visible reporting tools and guidance so users can report ads that breach the rules and to allow users to turn off or deny inappropriate ads. Beyond interface rules, the decree tightly regulates advertising for 11 categories of goods and services seen as affecting health or the environment.
Why it matters
- Consumers may face fewer forced-view ad impressions and faster ad dismissal on online platforms in Vietnam.
- Online platforms and advertisers will need to change ad formats and user interfaces to meet the new one-interaction and skip-timing requirements.
- Stricter controls and reporting features aim to reduce misleading or illegal ads, particularly in sensitive product categories.
- Regulation of specific product groups could reshape marketing and compliance strategies for businesses dealing in healthcare- or environment-related goods.
Key facts
- Decree number: Decree No. 342 (amending provisions of the national Advertising Law).
- Effective date: February 15, 2026.
- Video and animated ads: skip or close option must appear within 5 seconds.
- Static ads: must be immediately cancellable.
- Platforms must provide a clear, single-interaction method for closing ads and cannot use deceptive symbols to mislead users.
- Online services must display visible symbols and guidance for reporting ads and allow users to turn off, deny, or stop seeing inappropriate ads.
- The decree targets advertising for 11 product and service groups tied to health and the environment.
- Products and services named include cosmetics; food and beverages; milk and formula for children; medical supplies and healthcare services; pharmaceuticals; alcoholic drinks; insecticidal chemicals; plant pesticides and veterinary drugs; fertilizers; plant seeds and saplings.
What to watch next
- Details on enforcement mechanisms and penalties for noncompliance are not confirmed in the source.
- Timelines and technical guidance platforms will publish to meet the February 15, 2026 deadline are not confirmed in the source.
- How global platforms serving Vietnamese users will implement the UI and reporting requirements is not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Decree: A formal, legally binding administrative act issued by a government body to implement or amend laws.
- Unskippable ad: An online advertisement that prevents the viewer from dismissing or skipping it for a set period.
- Static ad: A non-animated advertisement, often an image or banner, that appears on a webpage or within an app.
- Skip button: A user interface control that allows viewers to close or bypass an advertisement before it finishes.
- Online platform: A website or app that hosts content and advertising, including social networks, streaming services, and search engines.
Reader FAQ
When do the new rules take effect?
February 15, 2026.
How long can viewers be forced to wait before skipping a video ad?
The decree limits that waiting period to no more than five seconds for video and animated ads.
Do the rules apply to all advertising?
The changes target online advertising activities; the decree specifically addresses video, animated, and static ads on online platforms.
Which product categories face tighter advertising rules?
The decree covers 11 groups, including cosmetics; food and beverages; milk and formula for children; insecticidal chemicals; medical supplies and healthcare services; plant pesticides and veterinary drugs; fertilizers; plant seeds and saplings; pharmaceuticals; and alcoholic drinks.
Are penalties or enforcement details specified?
Not confirmed in the source.
AAA If things go our way, YouTube’s notorious unskippable ads might be a thing of the past come this February. As Phụ Nữ reports, Vietnam recently announced Decree No. 342,…
Sources
- Vienam bans unskippable ads
- Vietnam to limit online ad skip time to 5 seconds starting …
- Online ads must be skippable within 5 seconds under new …
- YouTube users in this country will soon only have to watch …
Related posts
- FTSE 100 bosses’ pay exceeds typical worker’s annual salary in under 3 days
- Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale endorses violent anti-communist tweet on X
- 27 Million Fewer Car Trips After One Year of Manhattan Congestion Pricing