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From 1/7/2026, Decree 174/2026/NĐ-CP on administrative penalties in the fields of postal services, telecommunications, information technology, and network information security officially takes effect. This is a document that directly affects marketers, online shop owners, fanpage admins, and content creators — because this time, the penalties and enforcement measures for content and advertising on social media are defined very specifically.
This article summarizes the key points marketers need to know and suggests how to adjust operations to avoid the risk of fines or even having channels locked.
What is Decree 174/2026/NĐ-CP?
Decree 174/2026/NĐ-CP regulates administrative penalties in the fields of postal services, telecommunications, radio frequencies, electronic transactions, information technology, and network information security. The decree takes effect from 1/7/2026 and applies to organizations, business households, and individuals in Vietnam, as well as foreign organizations and individuals that commit violations in cyberspace in Vietnam.
For marketers, the most notable point lies in the provisions related to content and advertising on social media.
Fanpages, groups, and channels can be locked for violating content
According to points l and m, clause 3, Article 3 of the decree, in addition to fines, authorities may apply remedial measures such as:
- Forcing the account to be locked;
- Forcing the community page (fanpage) to be locked;
- Forcing the community group (group) to be locked;
- Forcing the violating content channel to be locked.
This means that even a fanpage or group with tens of thousands of members can still be forced to shut down if it posts content that violates the law. For brands and online shops that have spent years building their channels, this is a risk that cannot be taken lightly.
Specific violations and penalty levels
Some notable fines for violations related to online content include:
- Providing or sharing fake or false information: a fine of 20–30 million VND.
- Storing or transmitting fake or false information: a fine of 50–70 million VND.
- Using another person’s personal information without consent: a fine of 30–50 million VND.
In addition to fines, violating organizations and individuals may also be required to remove the infringing content and correct the information. Under clause 2, Article 5, domain names containing fake or false information, content inciting violence, or advertising prohibited goods may also be temporarily seized.
Placed in the context of the 2026 digital ad crackdown
Decree 174/2026/NĐ-CP does not stand alone. In 2026, the legal framework for advertising and digital content is being tightened in a coordinated way:
- The Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Advertising Law takes effect from 1/1/2026, for the first time identifying “advertising product communicators” (including KOLs and KOCs) and requiring clear identification labels for advertising content.
- The decree guiding the Advertising Law takes effect from 15/2/2026, detailing advertising identification signs, ad-disabling features, and transparency responsibilities.
- Decree 174/2026/NĐ-CP from 1/7/2026 adds the “deterrent” part: fines and channel-locking measures for violating content.
In other words, advertising and content online now must be both transparent and subject to clear penalties if violations occur.
What should marketers, shop owners, and fanpage admins do?
- Clearly label advertising: for sponsored or sales posts, clearly state “Advertising content,” “Sponsored,” or use the hashtag #QuảngCáo so viewers can distinguish it from personal sharing.
- Do not exaggerate or spread fake news: avoid false claims about product benefits — this is the group most likely to be fined.
- Do not advertise prohibited goods: review your product catalog and avoid advertising items that are banned or restricted.
- Obtain permission when using customer data or images: reviews, feedback, and customer photos need consent before posting.
- Moderate group and fanpage content: for community managers, member posts should be filtered to avoid being implicated if the channel is penalized.
- KOLs/KOCs should check products before accepting ads: verify documents and the product’s actual benefits before taking a booking.
Conclusion
Decree 174/2026/NĐ-CP, together with the amended Advertising Law, marks a stage in which advertising and digital content in Vietnam enter a stricter framework. For marketers, compliance is not only about avoiding fines of tens of millions of dong, but also about protecting the very communication channels and brand reputation that have been carefully built. Being proactive about content transparency now is the safest way to play the long game.
Note: This article is a compiled update and does not replace official legal advice. Businesses should consult a lawyer for each specific case.
