Chaotic outdoor ads in Ho Chi Minh City raise traffic safety concerns

“In many areas of the city, numerous billboards are installed on sidewalks, making movement difficult, especially along streets with narrow pavements,” Nguyen Tu Trong, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Besides, some advertising structures have even been placed near heritage sites and museums, densely clustered, putting pressure on the visual harmony of urban spaces, he said.

“As a resident, I hope that authorities will carefully consider the granting of advertising licenses, prioritizing convenience for the public, as well as urban planning and architectural standards,” he shared.

Many readers complained that multiple large LED screens and advertising boards have been installed on sidewalks and at intersections, encroaching on pedestrian pathways and disrupting urban life.

In addition, some billboards block natural light, affecting residents’ daily activities, recreational spaces, and study areas.

“One billboard completely blocks sunlight to the playground of a nearby kindergarten,” complained a reader.

She was frustrated by the placement of an advertising structure at a major intersection in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

Safety concerns extend beyond inconvenience.

Certain billboards are installed near schools, hospitals, and high-voltage power lines, posing risks of electric leakage and accidents, particularly during thunderstorms and heavy rain.

Recent observations by Tuoi Tre reporters show that some problematic billboards have been quietly removed, while many others remain standing.

Inspections into billboard installations

According to a plan announced by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports in mid-December, the city will launch comprehensive inspections into the installations of advertising boards and LED screens across the city.

The inspections are scheduled to take place in three phases: December 17-19, December 23-25, and January 6-8, 2026.

The inspection teams will be led by representatives from the department, with participation from the department’s specialized units, the municipal Department of Construction, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security, and relevant agencies.

The focus will be on billboards and LED screens installed on public land, traffic land, and project areas, including intersections, medians, flyovers, and building walls.

Inspectors will also review key locations along major streets, including Dong Khoi, Nguyen Hue, Le Loi, Tran Hung Dao, Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Pasteur, Dien Bien Phu, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Ton Duc Thang, Khanh Hoi, the route to T3 Terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and other related areas throughout the city.