Aust to remember Vietnam War veterans

Forty-nine years ago Australia fought the Battle of Long Tan in a South Vietnamese rubber plantation and lost 18 troops.

August 18 is now commemorated as Vietnam Veterans Day in honour of more than 60,000 people who served in Vietnam, and the 521 killed in service.

Veterans Affairs Minister Michael Ronaldson invited all Australians to honour those who fought in Vietnam.

"It is important that we properly acknowledge the service and sacrifice of these men and women, who upheld the finest traditions of the Anzacs during this terrible war," he said in a statement.

Senator Ronaldson said a major national commemorative service marking the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan would take place in August 2016 at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.

Planning is also under way for a small veterans mission to return to Vietnam in August 2016.