Cancellation of the 50th anniversary service at Long Tan

The Vietnamese Government has advised the Australian Government that it will not permit the ceremony to commemorate Vietnam Veteran's Day at the Long Tan cross site at 15:30 on 18 August to proceed.

The Government is deeply disappointed at this decision, and the manner in which it was taken, so close to the commemoration service taking place.

Australia's Ambassador has registered our deep concerns with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Government is seeking urgent calls with Vietnamese counterparts at the most senior levels to register our concerns.

Australia has been working closely with Vietnamese authorities for 18 months to prepare for this event. Memorial events have been held at Long Tan since 1989.

Australian veterans and their families had planned to attend a ceremony at Long Tan marked by mutual respect to remember and honour the sacrifice of those lost in the Vietnam War from both sides. For many veterans, this would have been their first visit to Vietnam since the war.

For the more than one thousand Australians who have travelled to Vietnam to attend the 50th anniversary memorial service this is bitterly disappointing news..

The Vietnam Veterans' Association and the Vietnam Veterans' Federation have been briefed by the Government on the decision taken by the Vietnamese Government.

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