CANBERRA, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam will allow Australian Vietnam War veterans to pay their respects at the site of the battle of Long Tan, 50 years after it was fought after a late-night deal brokered by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Vietnamese authorities had canceled the 50th anniversary Long Tan commemorations, leaving hundreds of Australian veterans and their families without somewhere to pay their respects, but a phone call from Turnbull to his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc paved the way for veterans to access the site.
Veterans Affairs Minister Dan Tehan told the Nine Network on Thursday that Australia was thankful the Vietnamese government agreed to allow veterans to commemorate the battle, as many had traveled to the South East Asian nation to remember those who lost their lives in the battle.
"As a result of Turnbull's urging for the Vietnamese government to show empathy and compassion towards our veterans and their families who have traveled to Vietnam, the Vietnamese government has decided that they will allow a wreath laying at the site," he told the Nine Network.
"They will also allow groups of up to 100 to visit the site and pay their respects," he added.
The event which was to take place is still canceled however those who traveled to commemorate the battle will be allowed to stage a private memorial service.
The battle of Long Tan took place on Aug. 18, 1966 in Vietnam.
