Long Tan Day, observed annually on 18 August, is one of the most solemn and significant dates in Australian and New Zealand military history. Marking the anniversary of the fierce 1966 engagement in former Phuoc Tuy Province (now Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, Southern Vietnam), long tan day 18 august—also recognized in Australia as Vietnam Veterans’ Day—honors the 18 Australian servicemen who lost their lives at Long Tan as well as all Australian and Allied personnel who served during the Vietnam War.
Every year, veterans, descendants, and respectful travelers plan to visit long tan on anniversary dates to walk the rubber plantation, stand quietly before the Long Tan Cross Memorial, and gain a deeper understanding of what unfolded on that stormy afternoon. In this guide, we explore the meaning behind the long tan day commemoration, what happens at the battlefield site, and how to plan a respectful, professionally guided journey on 18 August.
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What Is Long Tan Day (18 August)?
To understand why Long Tan Day holds such enduring emotional weight, one must look back to the afternoon of 18 August 1966. Amid a blinding tropical monsoon downpour, 105 Australian soldiers of D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), accompanied by a three-man New Zealand artillery forward observation party, encountered a vastly larger Viet Cong and North Vietnamese force (estimated at 1,500 to 2,500 troops) inside a rubber plantation near Long Tan village.
Outnumbered by more than ten to one, D Company held their defensive perimeter for over three hours, supported by relentless artillery fire from Nui Dat Base, an emergency ammunition drop by RAAF helicopters flying at treetop level through the storm, and the arrival of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) at dusk. For a minute-by-minute breakdown of the engagement, read our article on the Battle of Long Tan: What Happened on 18 August 1966.
Following the battle, 18 August became a focal point of remembrance for 6 RAR and the broader ANZAC community. In 1987, the Australian Government officially proclaimed long tan day 18 august as Vietnam Veterans’ Day, ensuring that the long tan day commemoration honors every Australian who served across the entire conflict.
The Meaning of a Long Tan Day Commemoration in Vietnam
While dawn services and wreath-laying ceremonies take place across cities and towns in Australia and New Zealand on 18 August, attending a long tan day commemoration on the actual ground in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province is a profoundly personal experience.
Unlike commercial tourist attractions, Long Tan is a living place of memory. August falls right in the middle of Southern Vietnam’s rainy season, meaning visitors who visit long tan on anniversary often experience the exact heavy afternoon clouds, warm humidity, and red clay mud that soldiers faced in 1966.
Respect, Understanding & The True Purpose of Visiting
When traveling to Long Tan—especially around Long Tan Day—most visitors arrive with a deep sense of respect, and rightly so. Long Tan was never meant to be just another sightseeing stop on a holiday checklist; it is a site that carries collective memory, sacrifice, and reconciliation.
It is also worth noting what makes a guided visit to Long Tan unique compared to standard leisure tours. Booking a private tour allows a dedicated guide to adjust the walking pace, share deeper unit histories, and create space for quiet reflection. However, a private battlefield tour is fundamentally about understanding and honoring the site, rather than treating the guide as a personal concierge for unrelated errands. Protecting the solemn atmosphere and keeping the day focused on historical truth is what makes a long tan day commemoration genuinely meaningful for every guest.
Step-by-Step Battlefield Journey on Long Tan Day
If you plan to visit long tan on anniversary—whether on 18 August itself or during the surrounding week—a well-structured battlefield itinerary traces the sequence of events across the landscape of former Phuoc Tuy Province:
1. Nui Dat Hill (SAS Hill) – Battlefield Overview
Your historical journey begins at the former 1st Australian Task Force (1 ATF) headquarters at Nui Dat. Climbing Nui Dat Hill (SAS Hill) provides a panoramic overview of the surrounding terrain, Nui Dinh mountains, and rubber estates, helping you understand the strategic mission and operational context before the battle began. Explore more in our guide to Nui Dat Base today and what remains of the 1st Task Force.
2. Former 6 RAR Base Area – Where the Patrol Began
Next, walk the former base sectors of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6 RAR), as well as the former Luscombe Field airstrip, APC mechanics’ workshop, and New Zealand artillery positions. Seeing where D Company departed on patrol on the morning of 18 August 1966 connects the logistics of the base directly to the battlefield just a few kilometers away.
3. Long Tan Rubber Plantation – Walking the Battle Ground
Moving into the quiet rows of rubber trees at Long Tan, your guide walks you step-by-step through the key phases of the engagement—tracing the movements of 10, 11, and 12 Platoons of D Company as the monsoon storm broke and the battle unfolded.
4. Long Tan Cross Memorial – Quiet Reflection
The emotional centerpiece of long tan day 18 august is the Long Tan Cross Memorial. Originally erected secretly by 6 RAR soldiers on 18 August 1969 (the third anniversary of the battle), the white memorial cross stands today as a quiet tribute to the fallen. Visitors are given unhurried time to lay poppies, read the plaque, and pay their respects.
5. Local Vietnamese Lunch & Return
After leaving the memorial grounds, guests stop at a clean local restaurant in nearby Ba Ria town for an authentic Vietnamese lunch before returning comfortably to their hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vung Tau, or Phu My Cruise Port.
Important Rules & Etiquette When Visiting on 18 August
Because Long Tan Day attracts heightened attention, local authorities in Ba Ria – Vung Tau enforce strict guidelines to maintain dignity and order at the memorial:
- Passport Registration at the Gate: All foreign visitors must present their original passport (or a clear printed copy/photo of the passport ID page) for security registration upon entering the Long Tan Cross compound.
- Official Ceremony Permissions: Individual travelers and small private groups can freely visit, lay small flowers or poppies, and observe a quiet moment of remembrance. However, large formal services, bugle calls, speeches, or organized group ceremonies on long tan day 18 august require advance government authorization coordinated through a licensed tour operator and diplomatic channels.
- Respectful Dress & Conduct: Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, keep voices low, and refrain from flying drones or conducting commercial filming without explicit permits.
- Weather Preparation: Since 18 August falls in the rainy season, bring a lightweight rain poncho, sturdy closed-toe walking shoes suitable for damp red earth, and insect repellent.
How to Plan Your Visit for Long Tan Day
Public transportation does not serve the rural rubber plantations of Long Tan, and most former Nui Dat Base sectors have no English signage. Booking a dedicated historical tour ensures smooth navigation, gate registration assistance, and insightful commentary:
- From Ho Chi Minh City: Book our full-day private Long Tan Nui Dat BattleField Tour (see also how to get to Long Tan from Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam War Tours from Ho Chi Minh City: Best Battle Sites).
- From Vung Tau or Phu My Port: Choose our coastal Long Tan Tour from Vung Tau or our cruise ship shore excursion Long Tan Nui Dat Tour from Phu My Port.
- Custom Veteran & Commemorative Pilgrimages: If you are traveling specifically for Long Tan Day, ANZAC Day, or a family pilgrimage, explore our tailored Australian Veterans Tour Vietnam and ANZAC Day Long Tan Tour.
- Complete Planning Resource: Read our full Long Tan Nui Dat Travel Guide and learn about nearby Long Phuoc Tunnels to prepare for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Long Tan Day (18 August)
When is Long Tan Day celebrated and what does it commemorate?
Long Tan Day is observed every year on 18 August. It commemorates the Battle of Long Tan fought on 18 August 1966—in which 18 Australian soldiers of D Company, 6 RAR lost their lives—and also serves as Australia’s official Vietnam Veterans’ Day honoring all Australians who served in the Vietnam War.
Can I visit Long Tan on anniversary (18 August) in Vietnam?
Yes, you can visit Long Tan on anniversary (18 August) in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. Individual travelers and private tour guests are welcome to visit the Long Tan Cross Memorial to lay poppies and pay quiet respects, provided they bring their passport for routine gate registration.
Do I need a special permit for a Long Tan Day commemoration ceremony?
Standard sightseeing and quiet individual remembrance do not require an advance permit beyond showing your passport at the gate. However, formal group ceremonies involving speeches, buglers, or large wreath-laying delegations on 18 August require prior authorization from local Vietnamese authorities.
What is the weather like in Long Tan on 18 August?
August is in the middle of Southern Vietnam’s rainy season, with warm temperatures (26°C–33°C) and frequent afternoon rain showers—mirroring the monsoon weather of the 1966 battle. Morning departures, closed-toe walking shoes, and a light rain poncho are strongly recommended.
What sites are included in a Long Tan Day battlefield tour?
A complete Long Tan Day tour typically covers Nui Dat Hill (SAS Hill) for a battlefield overview, the former 6 RAR base area and Luscombe Field at Nui Dat, the Long Tan Rubber Plantation battleground, the Long Tan Cross Memorial, and often the nearby Long Phuoc Tunnels, followed by lunch in Ba Ria.
