No change to rules for Vietnam medal

Vietnam veterans who missed out on the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal will have to go without.

The government of the Republic of Vietnam offered the medal to Australian troops who served for at least 181 days in South Vietnam but some veterans have since argued for a reduction in the qualifying service period.

The Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal concluded that Australia had no legal power to amend the eligibility criteria as the government of South Vietnam no longer exists.