Vietnam bans unskippable ads (saigoneer.com)

Article summary

Vietnam has announced a new decree that will ban unskippable ads and require a skip button to appear after 5 seconds. The decree aims to protect consumers and curb illegal ads, and will also regulate ads for certain goods and services that impact the environment and human health. The new rules are set to take effect from February 15, 2026. This move is expected to affect online advertising activities in Vietnam, including those on platforms like YouTube.

Main themes

• Advertising regulations
• Consumer protection
• Online advertising
• Vietnam's media laws
• Digital marketing

What commenters say

• The ban on unskippable ads will be a significant change for developers and advertisers, potentially leading to a shift in advertising strategies.
• Some argue that ads are necessary to inform people about available products and solutions to their problems, while others see them as inherently toxic and manipulative.
• The effectiveness of the new regulations in curbing scam ads and promoting legitimate products is uncertain, with some suggesting that companies will find ways to subvert the rules.
• The discussion around ads raises questions about the value of services that rely on advertising revenue, and whether users would be willing to pay for ad-free alternatives.
• Regulating ads is seen as a necessary step to protect consumers, but some argue that it may not be enough to address the underlying issues with the advertising industry.
• The impact of the new regulations on YouTube and other online platforms is expected to be significant, with some predicting that companies may respond by displaying more shorter ads or finding alternative revenue streams.