Why are foreign enterprises seeking to invest in advertising in Vietnam often denied licensing approval? Strict legal regulations, complex documentation requirements, and various risks in advertising investment procedures create significant concerns for many investors. So, what are the key reasons for licensing rejection, and how can businesses secure approval more smoothly?
Advertising investment licensing is governed by the Law on Investment, the Law on Advertising, and several specialized decrees. However, many investors underestimate the hidden legal risks. At the initial stage, they often assume that submitting a complete set of documents is enough for approval. In reality, it is far more complicated — authorities carefully assess the business lines, legal capacity, advertising content, and investment objectives. Even minor issues can lead to rejection.
Below are the most common reasons that cause businesses to spend months revising documents or even face outright refusal.
One of the most frequent mistakes in applying for an advertising investment license is failing to meet minimum legal conditions. Investors often make errors such as:
Business lines registered do not match or do not include advertising services.
Legal documents proving the investor’s legal status are invalid or incomplete.
Proposed advertising content violates regulations on images, language, or restricted products.
Notably, even when the application appears nearly complete, minor discrepancies—such as an uncertified translation or expired documents—can lead to rejection.
Some advertising activities fall into “sensitive sectors” subject to strict control. Investors may be rejected for reasons such as:
Advertising restricted products or services: strong alcohol, cigarettes, or health-related products lacking approval.
Advertising locations fall outside the local planning or affect traffic safety or national security.
Use of advertising technologies that are unlicensed or lack defined technical standards.
These risks often surprise investors unfamiliar with local regulatory environments.
From the perspective of corporate lawyers and investment consultants, preparing an advertising investment license application is not merely compiling documents. It involves risk assessment, compliance review, and strategic structuring to meet legal requirements. Many enterprises only realize—after being rejected—that early legal consultation would have saved significant time and cost.
So, how can an application be approved on the first submission? Below are the practical steps and insights from projects supported by DEDICA.
This is a step many businesses skip, although authorities consider it a decisive factor. The review process should include:
Assessing whether the investment falls under restricted sectors.
Verifying the investor’s legal and financial capability and internal documents.
Evaluating risks related to advertising location, content, and intellectual property rights.
Ensuring translations and consular legalization are properly executed.
A thorough pre-check helps businesses proactively eliminate risks that may cause rejection.
To increase approval likelihood, the application must be well-organized and aligned with legal checklists. A complete application typically includes:
Legal documents of the foreign investor.
Investment project proposal (objectives, scale, advertising technology, implementation location).
Documents demonstrating technical safety, environmental compliance, image usage rights, or intellectual property rights.
Commitment to comply with the Law on Advertising and relevant decrees.
DEDICA often assists clients in adjusting their investment plans to align with local planning, significantly improving approval chances.
With tightening regulations on advertising—especially for foreign investors—businesses need a legal partner with expertise and practical experience. DEDICA is a professional law firm in Ho Chi Minh City with a highly skilled team that has successfully supported numerous foreign advertising projects in Vietnam.
We provide comprehensive services:
Consulting on advertising investment conditions.
Preparing the advertising investment license application.
Working directly with the Department of Planning & Investment and the Department of Culture & Sports.
Handling situations where applications are requested for amendment or at risk of denial.
With proven experience, DEDICA helps clients reduce risks, shorten appraisal time, and ensure full legal compliance.
Collect information and conduct initial risk assessment.
Create a document checklist tailored to each locality.
Draft and standardize application documents under Vietnamese law.
Represent clients in working with authorities until results are obtained.
Transparent, professional, and legally accurate advice.
Absolute confidentiality of information.
Flexible solutions that save time and costs.
If you are facing challenges in applying for an advertising investment license or have previously been rejected and need to fix your application, DEDICA is ready to support you.
Contact DEDICA Law Firm for expert legal consultation!
📞 Hotline: (+84) 39 969 0012 (Available via WhatsApp, WeChat, Zalo)
🕒 Working hours: Monday – Friday (8:30 – 18:00)
Contact us now for a free initial consultation with our professional legal team!
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