Vietnam is forcing social platforms like YouTube to let users skip ads within 5 seconds. The law comes into effect on February 15
The Vietnamese Government has issued Decree No. 342/2025, detailing the implementation of several provisions of the Law on Advertising, including regulations on online advertising. The Decree will take effect from 15 February 2026.
Under the new rules, non-fixed-position static image advertisements must not have any mandatory waiting time before users can close them. For animated image sequences or video advertisements, the maximum waiting time before the close option appears is five seconds.
Non-fixed-position advertisements are defined as ads that appear at variable positions and times on online service interfaces, covering all or part of the main content and interrupting users’ access to information.
The Decree also requires that such advertisements must not use fake or misleading close buttons and must ensure that users can close the ad with a single interaction.
In addition, online advertisements must clearly display icons and instructions allowing users to:
- Report advertising content that violates the law
- Choose to refuse, close, or stop viewing inappropriate advertisements
Advertisers, advertising service providers, entities distributing advertising content, and advertising publishers are required to prevent and remove illegal advertisements within 24 hours of receiving a request from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or other competent authorities under relevant laws.
In cases of non-compliance, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security, will apply technical measures to block illegal advertisements and related services, and handle violations in accordance with the law.
Telecommunications companies and Internet service providers are also required to block access to illegal advertisements and services within 24 hours of receiving requests from competent authorities.
