The embodiment of the invention discloses a method and a device for playing video advertisements. The video advertisement playing method is applied to a video advertisement playing system. The video advertisement playing system comprises at least one video display. The method comprises the following steps: user characteristic information of target users in the corresponding area of a video displayis acquired; according to the user characteristic information and the corresponding area of the video display, advertisement files in the advertisement library suitable for the video display and thetarget users to play are determined; the video display is controlled to play the advertisement files. According to the embodiment of the invention, the video advertisements played can conform to the preferences of the users by using the method. Thus the advertisement effect is improved effectively.