How hanging advertising signs should be done in compliance with the law

Hanging advertising signs is one of the popular activities in Vietnam, however, to avoid violating the law, organizations and individuals need to comply with specific regulations. To ensure that advertising signs are hung legally, you need to clearly understand the requirements for size, content, location and licensing procedures. This article will analyze current regulations on advertising signs and related legal issues.

Current forms of hanging advertising signs

Hanging advertising signs today have many popular forms, serving different promotional purposes. These forms are divided into main groups as follows:

Large outdoor advertising: These are large-sized advertising signs, often placed in crowded areas. Include:

• Billboard: One-column billboard.
• Trivision: Three-sided moving billboard.
• Pano: Wall advertising billboard.
• Advertising sign on the pedestrian bridge.
• Banners, street advertising banners.

Low-level outdoor advertising: These billboards are often placed close to the ground, easily reaching customers. Common types of seas are:

• Bus Shelter: Bus shelter sign.
• Lightbox: Light box sign.

Digital outdoor advertising: These are billboards that use modern technology such as LED and LCD screens. These types of signs are very popular in commercial areas and places with a large amount of foot traffic.

• Outdoor LED screen.
• LCD screen.
• Frame Screen.

In addition, there are also types of advertising signs at specific locations such as golf courses, airports, hospitals, supermarkets…

Regulations on how to properly hanging advertising signs

To avoid violating the law when hanging advertising signs, customers need to clearly understand the specific legal regulations. According to Article 34 of the Law on Advertising 2012, the requirements for signs are as follows:

Sign content: Signs must have all of the following information:

• Name of production and business establishment.
• Name of direct managing agency (if any).
• Facility address and phone number.

Sign size:

• Horizontal signs: Maximum height of 2m, length must not exceed the width of the house facade.
• Vertical signs: Maximum width 1m, maximum height 4m but not exceeding the height of the floor.
• The display of writing on signs must comply with the provisions of Article 18 of the Law on Advertising.

Location of signs: Advertising signs must not block emergency or fire escape spaces, and must not encroach on sidewalks or roadways, affecting public traffic.

Technical regulations: Signs must comply with technical regulations issued by competent authorities.

In addition, according to Article 31 of the Law on Advertising 2012, if you build a sign with a large area, such as a metal frame billboard with a side area of ​​20m² or more, a construction permit must be obtained from the competent authority.

Prohibited acts in advertising activities

According to the provisions of Article 8 of the Law on Advertising 2012, prohibited acts in advertising activities include:

• Advertising of products, goods and services specified in Article 7 of the Law on Advertising is prohibited.
• Advertising that reveals state secrets, harms national independence, sovereignty, security and defense is prohibited.
• Advertising that is unaesthetic and contrary to Vietnamese historical traditions, culture, ethics, and fine customs is prohibited.
• Advertising that affects urban beauty, traffic order and safety, and social safety is prohibited.
• Advertising that offends the dignity of the National Flag, National Emblem, National Anthem, Party flag, national heroes, cultural celebrities, leaders, Party and State leaders is prohibited.
• Prohibit advertising that is discriminatory against ethnicities, racism, infringing on freedom of belief and religion, and prejudices against gender and people with disabilities.
• Advertising that offends the reputation, honor, and dignity of organizations and individuals is prohibited.
• Advertising that uses images and words of individuals without their consent is prohibited, unless permitted by law.
• Advertising that is false or misleading about business capabilities, quality, quantity, and value of products and services is prohibited.
• Advertising that directly compares price and quality with products and services of other organizations and individuals is prohibited.
• It is forbidden to advertise using words such as “best”, “only”, “best”, “number one” without legal documents to prove it.
• Unfair competition advertising is prohibited in accordance with competition laws.
• Advertising that violates intellectual property laws is prohibited.
• Advertising that negatively affects children, is contrary to morality, good customs, or is harmful to children’s health and safety is prohibited.
• It is forbidden to force organizations or individuals to conduct advertising or receive advertising against their will.
• It is prohibited to hang, place, paste or draw advertisements on electric poles, traffic signal posts and trees in public places.

Penalties for hanging signs that do not comply with regulations

Failure to comply with regulations on advertising signs will result in strict penalties. According to Article 42 of Decree 38/2021/ND-CP, regulations on penalties for improperly hanging advertising signs are as follows:

Fine from 1,000,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND:

• Hanging, erecting, placing, or attaching billboards, banners, or outdoor advertising screens not in the right planned location or location approved by a competent authority.
• Do not clearly state the name and address of the advertiser on billboards or banners.

Fine from 2,000,000 VND to 5,000,000 VND:

• Advertising beyond the prescribed area on billboards or banners at locations approved by competent authorities.
• Do not disassemble expired banners, billboards, or banners that are torn, damaged, or unsightly.

Fine from 5,000,000 VND to 10,000,000 VND:

• Placing symbols, logos, trademarks in the wrong position or exceeding the allowed area.
• Advertisements that do not comply with regulations on historical and cultural relic protection areas, traffic safety corridors, dykes, national power grids, or obscure traffic signals.
• Modifications that falsify advertising content have been notified to competent state agencies.
• Report incorrect advertising content to competent state agencies.

Fine from 10,000,000 VND to 15,000,000 VND:

• Use sound on outdoor advertising screens.
• No notification of advertising content, time, location, number of billboards or banners.

Remedial measures:

• Forced addition of names and addresses of advertisers on billboards and banners.
• Forced dismantling of advertisements for violations of the regulations at the above points.

Consulting service for applying for a license of hanging advertising signs

Long Phan provides professional consulting services on procedures for applying for a license of hanging advertising signs, helping customers comply with the provisions of law. Our services include:

• Consulting on regulations on hanging advertising signs properly.
• Specific advice on regulations on size, content, and location of advertising signs.
• Support customers in drafting registration documents.
• Consulting on resolving issues that arise during the permit application process.
• Representing customers to carry out procedures and submit documents to competent authorities.
• Consulting and support in resolving disputes related to advertising licensing.

Hanging advertising signs legally not only helps customers avoid penalties but also protects their rights and brand image. Customers need to understand the regulations and licensing process to conduct advertising activities legally. For quick and effective support, please contact Long Phan via the hotline 0906735386. We are always ready to advise and provide accurate and timely solutions for customers.