Advertising fears are spotlighted

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One of fresh points in the draft Law on Advertising was the abrogation of outdoor advertising licences. Vietnam Advertising Association argued that since outdoor advertising just represented 10 per cent of total advertising market and is strictly managed, it would be reasonable to remove outdoor advertising licences.

“Outdoor advertising licences have exaggerated firms’ burdens. In fact, firms with real demand for outdoor advertising have to go back and forth to different state agencies to fill in various procedures, driving up advertising costs,” said the association’s general secretary Ha Van Tang.

National Assembly deputies, however, are anxious. Ho Chi Minh City deputy Pham Van Gon said such licencese should not be removed and someone needed to take responsibilities of particular cases.

Former Minister of Culture and Information and Hanoi deputy Pham Quang Nghi said:
“People wanting to abrogate outdoor adverting licences are just those working in the advertising industry.”  

Similarly, many deputies where in the same mindset.

“Advertising on billboards in almost urban cities has become increasingly complex and in many cases go counter aesthetic standards whereas the advertising planning remains incomplete,” said National Assembly Culture, Education, Youth, Teenage and Children Committee chairman Dao Trong Thi.

Thi added that advertising planning remained low quality and contained vague regulations. Besides, just half of provinces and municipalities across the country have adopted outdoor advertising planning schemes.

The committee proposed interweaving into the draft Law on Advertising some contents including general regulations on advertising in public places, main roads and highways to ensure unified implementations by localities. Besides, it suggested putting the draft law for general comments from management state bodies, advertising firms and the community.