Enterprises in Hanoi continue to raise concerns over a confusing advertising regulation issued by the locau authorities which has been in effect as of September 5.

Many advertising billboards are displayed in a building near Hoan Kiem Lake in central Ha Noi. Enterprises feel concerned about a confusing advertising regulation.

According to the previous guidelines for advertising planning and construction projects, billboards up to 120-200sq.m may be set up along national highways.

However, the new advertising regulation in the capital only allows for billboards up to 120sq.m to be set up in the periphery areas.

An advertising company director, who wished to remain anonymous, said that all of his company’s billboards had been prepared to be 200sq.m.

“If the regulation is applied, all of our materials will have to be cut into smaller pieces. It will be a waste of time and money, and will result in increased production costs.”

“The thing is, we still haven’t received any information about the new regulation from the authorities. Now we have information, but some of the new articles are different from previous regulations so we are confused about which one we have to follow.”

Learned too late

Director of the Viet Nam Architectural Design and Construction Company Vu Anh Tuan said: “We just installed a billboard on Ngo Gia Tu Street which is more than 120sq.m but no one has asked us to remove it.”

“We are ready to implement the rule, but it would have been better to learn about it sooner through mass media,” he said.

Ha Van Tang, vice chairman and general secretary of the Viet Nam Advertising Association, said that the Ha Noi People’s Committee should have held discussions with the association regarding the regulation.

“By doing so, there would have been an appropriate regulation with support from enterprises,” he said.

According to Tang, advertising activities play a significant role in stimulating domestic consumption and contributea to making the city more beautiful.

“Tightening the management of advertising activities is necessary. However, authorities should also think about how to make favourable conditions for enterprises to promote their business so that people can learn about their products.”

The municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it would hold a press conference next week to clear up remaining queries.

VietNamNet/VNS