Overview:

Long Tan Cross Memorial - Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province In Vietnam is a war memorial located at the site of the Battle of Long Tan near the hamlet of Long Tan in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam. It commemorates those Australians who lost their lives in Vietnam, particularly the soldiers of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment who lost their lives in the Battle of Long Tan. The memorial features a large bronze cross, surrounded by a wall with plaques inscribed with the names of the soldiers who died in the battle and in the Vietnam War. The memorial also includes a statue of a soldier, a flagpole, and a reflecting pool. It is maintained by the Australian government in partnership with the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vietnam
Prominent Features:

The Long Tan Cross Memorial in the Ba Ria-Vung Tau province of Vietnam is a prominent monument dedicated to the Australian soldiers of the Vietnam War. The memorial honors the 108 Australians who died during the Battle of Long Tan and commemorates all who served Australia in Vietnam. The stainless steel cross stands 12 meters tall and is located less than 10 kilometers from Nui Dat, the site of the 1967 battle. Engraved on the base of the memorial are the words "Lest We Forget". The cross is surrounded by a pavilion and flagpoles that feature the Australian national flag and the South Vietnamese flag. The pavilion contains a wall engraved with the names of the 108 Australians who died in the battle. The Long Tan Cross is located in a clearing and surrounded by a eucalyptus grove. The site also features a visitors’ information center and a gift shop. This national monument of Vietnam portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Long Tan Cross Memorial is located in Long Tan Village in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in Vietnam. The Memorial was erected as a tribute to the courage and bravery of the Australian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Long Tan during the Vietnam War. The battle, which took place on August 18, 1966, was fought between the Australian and New Zealand forces and the People’s Army of Vietnam. On August 18th, 1966 the Australian Army’s 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF) established a base at Long Tan. During the Battle of Long Tan, the Australians and New Zealanders were outnumbered 10 to one. Despite this, they were able to repel the much larger North Vietnamese forces with the support of artillery and air strikes. The battle became a symbol of the Australians’ courage and determination to fight-off the Communist invaders. To commemorate the Australian soldiers’ heroism, the Long Tan Cross Memorial was built in the exact spot of the original battle. The Memorial is a 12-metre-high white stone cross, made from stone from France and Australia and was dedicated in the presence of Australia’s Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies and the Governor-General Sir Harold Southey. The Memorial is a symbol not only of the bravery of the Australians who fought at Long Tan but also of the two countries’ relationship during the war. Since its installation, the Long Tan Cross Memorial has become a site of pilgrimage for veterans of the Vietnam War, as well as members of the public. The Memorial has been restored twice, from 1990-1994 and 2004-2006, to keep it in a good state of repair. It is well maintained and cared for by locals who regularly clean and check for damage to the site. Since its installation, the Memorial has become a symbol for remembrance of those who courageously defended their country and lost their lives in their service. It also serves as a reminder of the bravery and tenacity of the Australians and New Zealanders who served during the Vietnam War. You must visit one of these historical places in Vietnam on your Vietnam tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Long Tan Cross Memorial is a memorial to the Australian soldiers who fought, and died, in the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam on the 18th August 1966. 2. The Long Tan Cross Memorial was erected in February 1986, on the 20th anniversary of the battle. 3. The Long Tan Cross memorial was constructed by the “Another Side Of War” Subcommittee of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia. 4. The cross measures 1.8 metres high and has the three service insignias – Army, Navy and Air Force – etched in its sides. 5. It was made with three sheets of steel and filled with sand and concrete. 6. The Long Tan Cross was unveiled by the Governor-General of Australia at the time, Sir Ninian Stephen, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vietnam, Mr Do Muoi. 7. The Long Tan Cross memorial is located in the Long Tan National Memorial Park, near Vung Tau, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam. 8. The Long Tan Cross was built to honor the memory of the casualties who died in the Battle of Long Tan – the Australians, New Zealanders and the South Vietnamese. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vietnam with your friends and family.