It marks the 48th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, which was fought by members of 'D' Company, 6 Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.

On that day, the battle between our soldiers and elements of the PAVN 5th division and D445 Battalion saw 18 Australian soldiers die, and over 245 of the enemy.

Vietnam veterans commemorate all of Australia's Vietnam War dead on August 18 each year. They remember all those Australians who fought and died, and those who served in the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1972.

Over 59,000 Australian soldiers, sailors, airmen, nurses and civilians served in Vietnam. Over 521 of them died; including 500 soldiers, 8 sailors, and 18 airmen; and seven Australian civilians also died. The civilians were mostly attached to surgical and medical teams. A total of 3129 servicemen were wounded.

The Vietnam War Memorial Service will be held at the Dorrigo Monument at 5pm on Sunday August 18.

All veterans (World War II, Korea and Vietnam), families and friends, and members of the ex-service community and the public are invited to attend the service. Please bring your own floral tributes.

After the service, veterans are invited to gather at the Dorrigo Memorial RSL Club for fellowship.