Online Advertising License 2026: Do You Really Need One?

Online Advertising License Vietnam is a common concern for businesses investing in website advertising, social media ads, and other digital marketing activities in Vietnam. From website banners and on-site promotional content to social media ads and search engine campaigns, digital advertising now spans multiple online environments, but does every form of online and website advertising actually require legal approval?

Many companies remain uncertain about where the legal boundaries lie. Some assume that advertising on websites or digital platforms is entirely free from licensing, while others believe that every online campaign must be approved in advance. So, which types of online advertising and website advertising require advertising content approval under Vietnamese law, and which do not?
What are the potential consequences if businesses run online or website ads without proper approval?

This article by Green NRJ will walk you through the key regulations, requirements, and compliance risks related to online and website advertising licenses, step by step.

What Is Online Advertising?

Online advertising refers to the activity of promoting products, services, or brands through internet-based channels in order to reach consumers using digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, and computers. This form of advertising allows businesses to deliver marketing messages in real time through various online environments, including search engines, websites, social media platforms, mobile applications, and email systems. By leveraging digital connectivity, online advertising enables companies to target specific audiences, measure performance accurately, and optimize campaigns efficiently.

What Is Website Advertising?

Website advertising is a form of online advertising in which promotional content, such as banners, images, videos, or sponsored articles, is displayed on a company’s own website or on third-party websites. This type of advertising focuses on reaching users while they are browsing online content, helping businesses communicate brand messages, introduce products or services, and engage potential customers within a controlled digital space.

Do Online Advertising and Website Advertising Require a License?

The answer is YES, for certain types of products and services.

Not all online advertisements are subject to licensing requirements. However, under the Law on Advertising (as amended in 2025) and Decree No. 181/2013/ND-CP, which guides its implementation, businesses are required to obtain advertising content approval before publishing online or website advertisements for specific categories of goods and services classified as regulated or conditional.

This requirement applies regardless of the advertising channel, meaning that advertisements displayed on websites, social media platforms, search engines, or other digital environments are treated equally under advertising regulations. The key determining factor is the nature of the product or service being advertised, not the platform on which the advertisement appears.

In particular, advertising content approval is mandatory for online advertising related to products and services that may have a direct impact on public health, consumer safety, or environmental protection. These include cosmetics; food products and food additives; health-related and nutritional products; medical devices and healthcare equipment; household and medical disinfectants and insect-control products; milk and nutritional products for children; medical examination and treatment services; plant protection drugs, agricultural protection materials, and beneficial biological agents; veterinary medicines and veterinary supplies; fertilizers, animal feed, seeds, livestock breeds; and biological products used in cultivation and animal husbandry that are subject to advertising control under relevant sector-specific regulations.

For these categories, businesses must ensure that their advertising content has been reviewed and approved by competent authorities prior to publication. Advertising without such approval may expose advertisers to administrative penalties and corrective measures under applicable regulations.

Advertising Content Approval Dossier for Online and Website Advertising

To apply for an online advertising license and website advertising approval, businesses are required to prepare a complete dossier consisting of basic mandatory documents and additional documents depending on the product or service being advertised. The required documents are outlined in the table below.

Online Advertising License & Website Advertising Approval – Competent Authorities

Depending on the product or service being advertised online or on websites, applications for advertising content approval must be submitted to the appropriate competent authority, as outlined below.

Correctly identifying the competent authority is essential when applying for an online advertising license or website advertising approval. Submitting an application to the incorrect authority may lead to delays, additional revision requests, or rejection of the advertising content approval.

For a complete and valid dossier submitted for an online advertising license or website advertising approval, the competent authority will review and issue a response within up to ten working days from the date of receipt. If the dossier requires supplementation or correction, the authority will notify the applicant in writing, and the business will be granted up to ninety days from the date of notification to complete and resubmit the required documents.

Penalties for Advertising Without an Advertising Permit

Under current regulations on administrative penalties in the field of advertising, including Decree No. 38/2021/ND-CP, businesses that conduct online advertising or website advertising for regulated products or services without obtaining advertising content approval may be subject to significant sanctions. These penalties are applied regardless of whether the advertising appears on websites, social media platforms, search engines, or other digital channels.

Specifically, advertisers may face administrative fines ranging from VND 20,000,000 to VND 25,000,000, depending on the specific violation and whether the advertiser is an individual or an organization, for publishing online advertising content that is legally required to be approved but has not yet received approval from a competent authority.
In addition to monetary fines, violators are typically required to remove, recall, or terminate all non-compliant advertising content, including banners, articles, videos, and sponsored posts displayed online or on websites.

In more serious cases, particularly those involving healthcare, food, cosmetics, or medical services, additional remedial measures may be imposed. These may include the temporary suspension or revocation of relevant professional licenses, practice certificates, or product-related approvals, subject to applicable sector-specific laws and the severity of the violation. Such sanctions can directly affect a business’s ability to continue operating or advertising its products and services.

These penalty provisions underscore the importance of obtaining proper approval before launching online or website advertising campaigns for regulated products or services, as non-compliance can result in both financial loss and operational disruption.

Conclusion: Should You Apply for an Online Advertising and Website Advertising License?

If your business advertises regulated products or services, obtaining an online advertising and website advertising license is not optional, it is mandatory. Proper licensing protects your brand, ensures legal compliance, and builds customer trust.

If you are looking for a fast, reliable online advertising license service, Green NRJ is ready to support you from consultation to final approval.

👉 Contact Green NRJ today for professional advertising compliance solutions.