Vietnam Veterans' Day: Official 50th anniversary activities

To mark 50 years since Australia ended its involvement in the Vietnam War, the Government has planned a series of national events and activities. 

These include a special Vietnam commemorative medal and certificate, national Vietnam Veterans’ Day service, and community grants to support commemorative projects. 

Vietnam War 50th anniversary commemorative medallion and certificate 

To honour Australians who served in the Vietnam War, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is producing a 50th anniversary Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration. 

Though nothing can repay the debt Australia owes to the 60,000 men and women who served in Vietnam, the medallion and certificate are small but meaningful ways to honour their service and to recognise the sacrifice of those who never returned home.  

The Vietnam commemorative medallion and certificate will be available to every living Australian veteran who served in Vietnam, and to the family of Vietnam veterans who have since passed away or were tragically killed in action during the Vietnam War.  

One medallion and one physical certificate is available per Vietnam War veteran. The medallion is free of charge for any Vietnam War veteran.  

To apply or find out more, visit dva.gov.au/vietnam50. 

Mr Merv Brown OAM - Brisbane North District President with his medallion and certificate. 

National Vietnam Veterans’ Day service – 18 August 

From 10am on Vietnam Veterans’ Day (18 August) 2023, the Australian Government will host a national 50th anniversary commemorative service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra. 

RSL Queensland encourages all Vietnam veterans or surviving family members to attend or watch the service, which will be broadcast nationally on ABC TV and online.  

Attendance passes 

Anyone wishing to attend the service must register for a free attendance pass. Entry to the service will not be permitted without an attendance pass.  

Please note that seating will be limited to 6,000 guests. 

How to register  

• Online – Register online before 5pm on 17 August 2023. 
• In person – From 8:30am on the day of the service (18 August 2023), there will be a physical box office facility at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial where you can register for an attendance pass, or replace damaged/lost passes. 

For more information about this free event, visit National Commemorative Service.  

If you’d like to attend a Vietnam Veterans’ Day service locally, visit our What’s On page or contact your nearest RSL Sub Branch. 

Image: Defence Australia | National Vietnam Memorial in Canberra

Saluting Their Service grant 

Are you planning a 2023 event, memorial or activity to commemorate Australian service in the Vietnam War? If so, you may wish to apply for a Saluting Their Service grant.  

The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program offers funding for projects that commemorate the service and sacrifice of Australians in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.  

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for local, community-based projects, while grants of $10,001-$150,000 are available for major commemorative projects that are significant from a national, state, territory and/or regional perspective. 

Applications for the current grant round are open until 10 October 2023. To apply or find out more (including eligibility criteria), please visit Grant Connect. 

Further support  

For more information on services and support available to Australian veterans, please visit the DVA website or contact our Advocacy team. 

 
Vietnam Veterans’ Day | Honour those who served  

On Vietnam Veterans’ Day (18 August), join us in honouring all Australians who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War.  

Attend an event at your local RSL Sub Branch or tune into a commemorative service.  

Lest we forget.