Short answer: Advertising on billboards and banners follows a notification procedure — not a licensing (“xin phép”) regime. Only advertising structures meeting the statutory thresholds (Article 31.2) require a construction permit. Key change since 01/01/2026: the amended Law dropped the “15 days in advance” rule — notification dossiers are filed simply “before implementation”, and the “silence means consent” mechanism after 05 working days remains in place.
1. Legal framework in force as of 14/10/2026
- Advertising Law 16/2012/QH13 — amended by Law 75/2025/QH15 (16/6/2025, effective 01/01/2026); earlier amendments: Laws 35/2018/QH14, 42/2024/QH15, 47/2024/QH15.
- Decree 342/2025/ND-CP guiding the Advertising Law (effective 15/02/2026) — replacing Decrees 181/2013/ND-CP and 70/2021/ND-CP (Article 32). Any citation of the two old decrees is now obsolete.
- Circulars 10/2013/TT-BVHTTDL and 04/2023/TT-BVHTTDL — remain in force under Decision 390/QD-BVHTTDL (2026) until replaced.
- Decree 38/2021/ND-CP — administrative sanctions in culture and advertising.
2. Notifying advertising products: no more “15 days in advance”
Under Article 30.1 (amended by Article 1.19 of Law 75/2025): “Organizations and individuals wishing to advertise on billboards or banners shall send the advertising-product notification dossier to the competent local state advertising authority before implementation“. The phrase “15 days in advance” has been removed — the old 15-day constraint no longer binds advertisers.
“Silence means consent” — Article 30.2: within 05 working days of the authority’s confirmation of receipt, if there is no response, the notified advertising product may proceed; a refusal must be in writing with reasons stated.
Notification dossier — Article 29 comprises: (1) the notification letter (content, duration, location, quantity); (2) copies of documents proving quality conformity or advertising eligibility (Article 20); (3) documents on event organization (for event/social-policy advertising); (4) colour mock-ups signed by the individual (+ seal for organizations); (5) documents proving ownership/use rights over the billboard or banner location; (6) perspective drawings of the billboard location; (7) a copy of the advertising-structure construction permit (where Article 31.2 applies). Note: the copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate has been removed from the dossier — do not submit documents no longer required.
Receiving authority: “the competent local state advertising authority” — under the current apparatus, the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
3. When a construction permit is required
Under Article 31.2, three cases require a construction permit:
- Outdoor dedicated advertising screens with a single-face area of 20 m² or more;
- Signboards and advertising boards with a single-face area exceeding 20 m², with metal frames or similar structures attached to existing buildings;
- Free-standing advertising boards with a single-face area of 40 m² or more.
Issuance time (Article 31.4): locations within an approved advertising plan → 15 days; localities without an approved plan → the Department of Construction seeks opinions from relevant departments (sent within 02 working days, answered within 05 working days), with the permit issued within 13 days of receiving those opinions.
Owner liability for advertising structures (new since 01/01/2026 — Article 31.5, added by Article 1.20 of Law 75/2025): owners are responsible for structural quality, safety and fire prevention of signboards/boards/screens; must repair, replace or dismantle them when damaged or when the advertising contract ends; damage caused must be compensated.
4. Signboards: mandatory content and dimensions
Under Article 34, signboards must show: the direct managing authority’s name (if any); the business name exactly as on the Enterprise Registration Certificate; address and telephone number. Lettering follows Article 18. Dimensions: horizontal boards — maximum height 02 m, length not exceeding the facade width; vertical boards — maximum width 01 m, maximum height 04 m, not exceeding the floor height where placed. Placement: must not block emergency exits or firefighting access, must not encroach on pavements or roadways, and must meet technical standards.
5. Outdoor dedicated advertising (LED) screens
Under Article 28 (amended by Article 1.18 of Law 75/2025): no sound; lighting must not affect traffic safety; technical standards for outdoor advertising means and the local advertising plan must be observed; owners must apply technical measures against cyber-attacks and ensure information security. Billboards must also conform to the local outdoor advertising plan — Article 37.
6. Practical risks and recommendations
- Update to the new texts: all detailed procedures under Decrees 181/2013 and 70/2021 expired on 15/02/2026 — old checklists and forms must be reviewed against Law 75/2025 and Decree 342/2025;
- Measure thresholds precisely: a 21 m² board attached to a building facade already triggers the construction-permit regime, while a 39 m² free-standing board does not — one metre can change the entire procedure;
- Keep proof of “silence means consent”: retain the authority’s written confirmation of dossier receipt to count the 05-working-day window;
- New owner liability can create compensation exposure — site-lease contracts for billboard/board locations should clearly allocate maintenance and fire-safety duties between the structure owner and the tenant.
Frequently asked questions
Do banners require a “permit”?
No. Only notification to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism before implementation is required; the “15 days in advance” rule no longer exists.
Can we install the board if the authority stays silent?
Yes. After 05 working days from the authority’s confirmation of receipt with no response, the notified product may proceed (“silence means consent”).
Does a 25 m² outdoor LED screen need a construction permit?
Yes. Outdoor dedicated advertising screens of 20 m² per face or more require a construction permit (Article 31.2).
Are company signboards size-limited?
Yes. Horizontal boards: max 02 m high; vertical boards: max 01 m wide and 04 m high; they must not block emergency exits or encroach on pavements/roadways (Article 34).
Is Decree 181/2013 still in force?
No. Decrees 181/2013 and 70/2021 expired on 15/02/2026 and were replaced by Decree 342/2025/ND-CP.
Legal sources cited
- Advertising Law 16/2012/QH13; amended by Law 75/2025/QH15 (16/6/2025, effective 01/01/2026).
- Decree 342/2025/ND-CP (effective 15/02/2026) — replacing Decrees 181/2013/ND-CP and 70/2021/ND-CP.
- Circulars 10/2013/TT-BVHTTDL; 04/2023/TT-BVHTTDL (in force under Decision 390/QD-BVHTTDL).
- Decree 38/2021/ND-CP — administrative sanctions in culture and advertising.
Rolling out an outdoor advertising campaign in Vietnam and need to review notification filings, construction permits or local advertising plans? Reach us via the Contact page of FLAT Law Firm.
The legal content of this article is reviewed by FLAT’s AI Legal Council and submitted to the owner for approval; it is not an opinion of a licensed lawyer and does not replace legal advice for specific cases.
For reference only, not legal advice.