LookAtVietnam – Firms will have to remove billboards if they do not meet a new regulation limiting the size of street advertising in the city,

In commercial centres, supermarkets and stations, the area of a billboard must not exceed 40sq.m.

Billboards in Ba Dinh Square, Hoan Kiem district and around the Ha Noi Opera House must be no more than 20sq.m, according to the regulation.

In commercial centres, supermarkets and stations, the area of a billboard must not exceed 40sq.m.

“Old billboards that do not follow the regulation will be removed. By the second quarter of next year city authorities will begin inspecting all billboards,” Hoa said.

Earlier this year, city authorities banned enterprises from erecting billboards on the roofs of buildings. However, the regulation was later revised to permit smaller billboards.

Meanwhile, the new regulation stipulates that advertising banners must be hung from rust-proof steel mountings and that they must be taken down within 15 days.

Pham Dinh Tien, director of the Ha Noi Youth Advertisement Co Ltd, said his company was happy to abide by the new advertising regulation, which he said would not adversely affect his business.

However, the director of another advertising firm, who wished to remain anonymous said city authorities should have given companies more time to get used to the new regulation.

“The city authorities should have informed enterprises about the new regulation some time ago so that they could make the necessary changes to their billboards in good time.”

He said that his company had erected a large billboard in Long Bien district that cost VND20 million (US$1,100).

“It will be a great waste of money for our company if the billboard does not meet the sew regulation”, he said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News