# Things To Do, Vietnam Travel Advices

Long Tan Cross – Story & visitor guide

Long Tan Cross - the memorial place for fallen Australian soldiers in the Battle of Long Tan - is the most visited attraction for Aussie to Vietnam. This article provides a comprehensive guide for visitors, offering practical tips on how to reach the memorial, what to expect, and ways to respectfully pay tribute at the Long Tan Cross, Vietnam.

What is Long Tan cross & location

The Long Tan Cross is a memorial commemorating the Battle of Long Tan, a significant engagement during the Vietnam War. The battle took place on August 18, 1966, between Australian forces and the Viet Cong. The cross was erected by the Australian military shortly after the battle to honor the 18 Australian soldiers who lost their lives.

Check the list of Australians who died in the Battle of Long Tan in this article.

The original cross was located on the former battlefield in a rubber plantation near Long Tan village, in the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province of southern Vietnam. Today, a replica of the cross stands at the site, as the original has been moved to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The site continues to be an important place of remembrance and pilgrimage for veterans and others who visit to pay their respects.

Long Tan Cross History & Journey

1969 - First placement

Three years after the Battle of Long Tan, the Australians returned in large numbers. In 1969, the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) was on its second tour in Vietnam. Now called 6RAR/NZ (ANZAC) because a New Zealand rifle company had joined them, the battalion had a very successful practice operation named Lavarack in the northern part of the province in June. But the next month, they faced many injuries from enemy-planted mines during efforts to secure the busy southeastern area of Phuoc Tuy in Operation Mundingburra.

Soon after Operation Mundingburra, 6RAR/NZ launched a unique mission. On August 17, A and D Companies flew into the Long Tan rubber plantation, then searched and secured the area. They found old weapons, clothes, and gear left behind from the earlier battle, then set up camp for the night in the rainy weather.

The next morning, infantry and assault pioneers removed rubber trees from the spot where 11 Platoon made its final stand on August 18, 1966. They then put up a three-meter-high white concrete cross that the battalion’s pioneer platoon had built and flown in, hanging under a Royal Australian Air Force Iroquois helicopter. A brass plaque on the cross had a simple message engraved on it:

IN MEMORY OF THOSE
MEMBERS OF D COY AND
3 TP 1 APC SQN WHO GAVE
THEIR LIVES NEAR THIS
SPOT DURING THE BATTLE
OF LONG TAN ON 18TH AUGUST 1966
ERECTED BY 6RAR/NZ
(ANZAC) BN 18 AUG 69.

Platoons secured a defensive circle while the rest of the battalion arrived in armored personnel carriers and formed a square around the clearing. Ten soldiers who had fought at Long Tan in 1966 (nine from 6RAR and one from 3 Troop, 1 APC Squadron) stood guard by the cross, while pipers played a lament and a chaplain led the dedication ceremony.

The ceremony ended by midday, and the companies started heading back to Nui Dat. D Company was the last to leave. After that, very few task force soldiers returned to the site because it became too difficult to access, except for occasional patrols.

1975 - Removal of Long Tan Cross

After the Reunification Day on 30/04/1975, local people removed the cross and repurposed it as a memorial for a late Catholic parish priest, Nguyen Van Chinh. They engraved his name on the cross and placed it over his grave.

1984 - To Dong Nai Museum & replica cross

In 1984, the cross was found and taken to the Dong Nai Museum in Bien Hoa city, where it was displayed along with other Vietnam War artifacts. Meanwhile, in 1989, the Long Dat District People’s Committee placed a replica cross at the original spot in the Long Tan rubber plantation. The Vietnamese writing on the replica translates to:

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
The Ministry of Culture
Recognises: Historic Place
Battlefield: D445 of Ba Ria – Long Khanh province contacted
6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Army
near Long Tan village on 18-8-1966.

2002 - Long Tan cross replica restored

In April 2002, the Australian Veterans Vietnam Reconstruction Group, with help from the Australian government and approval from Vietnamese authorities, restored the replica of the Long Tan cross and memorial site. The cross doesn’t have a permanent plaque, but visitors can ask local authorities to bring it to the site for display.

2012 - Loan to the Australian War Memorial

In 2012, the Dong Nai Museum and the Ministry of Culture of Vietnam loaned the original cross to the Australian War Memorial (AWM). It was displayed there from August 17, 2012, until April 2013.

2017 - Long Tan cross came home permanently

In November 2017, Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Craig Chittick, was given the Long Tan Cross by the Dong Nai Province People’s Committee during a small ceremony at the Dong Nai Museum in Biên Hòa. An Australian Defence Force member accompanied the cross on its trip to Australia.

The original Long Tan Cross was displayed in its new permanent home at the Australian War Memorial starting December 6, 2017.

2024 - Long Tan cross memorial site in Vietnam

Although the original cross was moved to Australia, the Long Tan Cross memorial site in Long Tan, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Vietnam is still one of the most popular places to visit for Australian travelers to Vietnam, and history lovers.

Although it’s in a quiet, remote area, the memorial is easy to visit and offers a peaceful place to reflect on the sacrifices made during the war. It’s a special spot where visitors can show their respect while learning more about this important moment in history. The cross is a symbol of courage and friendship that brings both nations together in remembrance.

Check the photo below to see how Long Tan Cross memorial site looks like in May 2024:

Visitor guide to Long Tan Cross

How to get to Long Tan Cross?

To reach the Long Tan Cross memorial site, it’s easiest to join an organized tour. These tours typically depart from Ho Chi Minh City, where guides provide transportation directly to the site, ensuring a smooth journey and sharing valuable historical context along the way. Moreover, the tours will also take you to Nui Dat base, and other related sites to Battle of Long Tan that you mat not be able to find yourself.

If you prefer to travel independently, you can hire a private car or taxi for the approximately 90 km journey southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The site is located in the Long Tan rubber plantation in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province. However, having a knowledgeable guide can enrich your visit by offering deeper insights into the memorial’s history and significance.

What to prepare?

When visiting the Long Tan Cross memorial site, consider bringing these items:

Flowers: Bring a small bouquet to pay your respects, as it’s a thoughtful and traditional gesture at memorial sites.
Appropriate Attire: Wear modest clothing suitable for a solemn, commemorative setting, and comfortable shoes for walking.
Water and Snacks: Carry water and light snacks, especially since it can be warm and humid, and the site is remote.
Camera: Bring a camera to capture the moment but be mindful not to disturb others.

Note: You don’t need to buy incense; it is already available at the memorial. Simply use what’s provided if you wish to light incense during your visit.

What not to do

Due to sensitivities regarding the memorial and because it is located on relatively isolated, non-public land, visitors must follow these instructions (unless you are approved by documents and followed by the government/ authorities):