Vietnam - Legal Overview - Advertising

The laws of Vietnam are complex and new legislation is constantly being introduced. What follows is no more than an introductory overview that we hope will assist investors to decide which areas of law they will need to research further.

This summary is, necessarily, selective and is no substitute for detailed legal advice.

1. Decree No 194 CP issued by the Government on 31 December 94, together with Circular 3.7 of 1 June 1995 are the key legislative provisions and together set out the controls that apply.

2. All entities wishing to advertise must obtain a Licence from the Ministry of Culture, though if advertising is to take place only within the locality of the applicant's office, a permit from the local Cultural and Information service may be sufficient. However, licensing of advertisements relating to products imported into Vietnam must be done by the Ministry. A Licence once granted is valid for I year.