Many business owners on a renovated street in Hanoi have simultaneously decided to go against a regulation of displaying ‘uniform banners,’ bearing the same size, colors, and font, for their services, seven months after the controversial rule was enacted.

Le Trong Tan Street, located in Thanh Xuan District, is hailed by the capital authorities as the first ‘model street’ in Vietnam, following a facelift that cost local budget VND225 billion (US$10 million) in May.

Under the new regulations for the ‘model street’, businesses have to hang up banners conforming to prescribed style guide -- bearing either red or blue in background, standing 1.1 meters high and decorated with white letters in almost uniform font and size.

It is also stipulated that the banners be hung 3.2 to 3.3 meters from the ground.

The uniform banners...

While the uniform banners undoubtedly make the neighborhood look more organized and visually aesthetic, many business owners complain that their business have since suffered profit drops, putting the blame on the monotonous banners.

After following the rule for seven months, some Le Trong Tan residents decided to replace the uniform banners with their own ones, with diverse colors and backgrounds to make them stand out from others.

As observed by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday, some banners are decorated with different font’s sizes and colors among the uniform ones.

..and the modified ones

Vuong Thi Van Khanh, head of the secretariat of the Thanh Xuan administration, said residents who make their banners not conform to the guidelines will be given a warning and possibly fined.

Khanh, however, admitted to Tuoi Tre that local officials will also take advice from residents to see if the uniform banner program should be continued and expanded.

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