TL;DR
Vietnam has issued Decree No. 342 to amend its Advertising Law, imposing new limits on online ads. The rules require skip controls to appear within five seconds for video and animated ads and introduce stricter rules for certain product categories and user controls.
What happened
Vietnam published Decree No. 342 as an update to its national Advertising Law, slated to take effect on February 15, 2026. The decree imposes tighter controls on online advertising intended to protect consumers and curb illegal ads. Under the new rules, video and animated advertisements must present a skip option no later than five seconds after they begin; static advertisements must be immediately cancellable. Platforms are also required to provide clear, one-interaction methods for users to close ads and to ban misleading or ambiguous symbols that could confuse viewers. In addition, online services must include visible markers and instructions to help users report ads that violate the law and provide mechanisms for users to stop seeing inappropriate advertisements. The decree further targets advertising for a list of goods and services that affect health and the environment.
Why it matters
- Shorter required wait times could change how platforms design ad experiences and affect view-through metrics.
- New user controls and reporting tools aim to give consumers more power to avoid misleading or harmful ads.
- Tighter restrictions on certain product categories could reshape marketing practices for industries linked to health and the environment.
- The decree signals a broader regulatory push in Vietnam to police online advertising content and presentation.
Key facts
- The measure is Decree No. 342, amending provisions of Vietnam’s Advertising Law.
- The decree takes effect on February 15, 2026.
- Video and animated ads must present a skip button no later than five seconds after they start.
- Static ads must be immediately cancellable.
- Platforms must offer a clearly visible, one-interaction way for users to close ads.
- Misleading, false or vague symbols designed to confuse viewers are prohibited.
- Online platforms must display symbols and instructions for reporting ads that violate the law and allow users to turn off, deny, or stop seeing inappropriate ads.
- The decree imposes tighter rules on ads for 11 groups of goods and services affecting environment and human health, including cosmetics, food and beverages, milk and formula for children, insecticidal chemicals, medical supplies, healthcare services, pesticides and veterinary drugs, fertilizers, plant seeds and saplings, pharmaceuticals, and alcoholic drinks.
What to watch next
- Platform rollout of updated ad controls and visible reporting symbols ahead of the February 15, 2026 effective date.
- Compliance by major online video services and how they implement the five-second skip requirement.
- not confirmed in the source: specific enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or which agency will monitor compliance.
Quick glossary
- Decree: A formal, legally binding regulation issued by a government body to implement or modify existing law.
- Skip button: A user interface control that allows viewers to bypass a video or animated advertisement after it appears.
- Static ad: A non-animated advertisement, such as a banner or image, that appears on a page or within an app.
- Animated ad: An advertisement that contains motion or video content, as opposed to a still image.
- Online platform: A website or app that delivers content and advertising to users, including social media and video services.
Reader FAQ
When does Decree No. 342 take effect?
The decree is scheduled to take effect on February 15, 2026.
How long can viewers be forced to watch video ads before a skip option appears?
Video and animated ads must present a skip button no later than five seconds after they start.
Are static ads allowed to block users from closing them?
No. The decree requires static ads to be immediately cancellable.
What penalties will platforms face for noncompliance?
not confirmed in the source
Does the decree specify which agency will enforce the new rules?
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, Requires Skip Button to Appear After 5 Seconds
- 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 …
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