Vietnam Veterans’ Day
18 August
Between 1962–1973 almost 60,000 Australians, including ground troops and air force and navy personnel, served in Vietnam. During this time 523 lost their lives, and 2,400 were wounded in a bid to halt the spread of the North’s Communist regime into South Vietnam. This toll doesn’t account for the enormous psychological scars which burdened many who returned to an unsympathetic and, at times, hostile environment.
It was a war unlike others in that it did not have broad public support. In 1964 a compulsory national service introduced for 20-year-old males fuelled an already growing anti-war movement which created a high degree of political tension. As a result, many of our returning Vietnam veterans were not greeted with the respect and honour they deserved for their efforts and service. RSL Australia would like to highlight and acknowledge this and note that veterans from all conflicts are welcome within the RSL and always will be.
In 1987, well over ten years after troops returned, Vietnam veterans received a ‘welcome home’ parade to honour their service and sacrifices that had not been well recognised in the 70s. Over 22,000 veterans marched through Sydney, attracting crowds of over 100,000 supporters.
This year, a commemorative program of events marking the 50th anniversary was held across Australia, culminating in the national commemorative service in Canberra on 18 August 2023. You can view the official broadcast of the service below.
Vietnam War commemorative medallion and certificate
To acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has produced a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration.
The medallion and certificate are a small but meaningful way to honour the service of our Vietnam Veterans and to recognise the sacrifice of those who never returned home.
The medallion and certificate will be made available to every living veteran, widows of veterans and other family members of veterans of the Vietnam War.
The medallion is free of charge for any veteran who served in the Vietnam War.
Applications are made online at dva.gov.au/vietnam50. Please note that you will need to know your service number, or the service number of the veteran you are applying on behalf of, in order to apply.
If you require support to apply, please phone 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) between 9am and 5pm AEST Monday to Friday, and say the word ‘medallions’ when prompted. You can also email commemorations@dva.gov.au
Learn more about Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
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Australia's role in the Vietnam War
Anzac Portal has created an educational resource for teachers about Australia's involvement in the war by delving into the experiences of Australians who served in the conflict and exploring the impact of the war on those at home.
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Advocating for veterans
Reflections on voluntary military service and compulsory national service in the Vietnam War based on oral history interviews with Australian veterans and written accounts.
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Australian experiences in the Vietnam War: In Their Own Words
The Australian veterans in this series recall their stories of service during the Vietnam War. The series is not designed to retell the history of the war. Instead, it gives you a deeper insight into individual experiences through oral history.