Starting February 15, 2026, Vietnam will enforce new advertising rules that require most online video ads to become skippable within five seconds, effectively ending long unskippable ad formats on digital platforms.

Why this is happening

Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications has introduced Decree No. 342/2025/NĐ-CP, a regulation aimed at improving user experience and transparency in online advertising. The law directly addresses intrusive ad formats — particularly forced-view video ads that interrupt users.

According to official reporting by Vietnamnet and Vietnam News, the regulation applies to online video and animated image ads shown on digital platforms operating in Vietnam, including large global services.

In short

• Vietnam is enforcing a new online advertising law from February 15, 2026

• Video ads must be skippable within 5 seconds

• Long unskippable ads will no longer be allowed

• Platforms must reduce intrusive ad experiences

• The change reflects a wider global push toward user-first digital policies

• Octohide VPN users can connect to Vietnam server and have 5s skippable ads instead of the long ones.

What exactly does the new law change?

Under the new regulation, online platforms must:

• Ensure video ads can be skipped after no more than five seconds

• Avoid forcing users to watch long pre-roll or mid-roll ads

• Clearly distinguish advertising content from organic content

• Prevent ads from disrupting core app or website functionality

Vietnamese outlet VnExpress confirms that ads forcing viewers to watch longer than five seconds without a skip option will no longer be permitted once the law takes effect.

Does this mean ads are banned?

No — advertising is still allowed.
What’s changing is how ads are delivered.

The government’s focus is on:

• Reducing intrusive formats

• Improving transparency

• Protecting user experience, especially on mobile devices

As The Saigon Times notes, the regulation is designed to balance monetization with consumer rights, not eliminate advertising altogether.

Why governments are acting against unskippable ads

Vietnam’s move reflects a growing global consensus that forced advertising harms digital trust. Regulators increasingly point to:

1. User frustration

Unskippable ads interrupt browsing, streaming, and gaming — particularly on slower connections.

2. Transparency issues

Users are often unaware of why certain ads appear or how long they’ll last.

3. Privacy concerns

Aggressive ad formats frequently rely on extensive tracking and profiling.

Vietnam is now among the first countries in Southeast Asia to translate these concerns into enforceable law.

The bigger picture: a global trend

Vietnam’s regulation follows similar discussions and policy actions in other regions, including Europe and parts of Asia, where governments are tightening rules around:

• Digital advertising practices

• Data usage transparency

• User consent and control

This signals a shift toward privacy-aware, user-first internet standards worldwide.

Where Octohide VPN fits into this new digital landscape

Final thoughts

Vietnam’s decision to limit unskippable ads marks a clear turning point. The era of long, forced-view advertising is being challenged by laws that put user experience first.

As more countries follow this path, digital services will need to adapt - or risk falling behind.

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