Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is very disappointed hundreds of Vietnam veterans and their families who travelled to the Long Tan battle site were unable to pay their respects.
Despite an hour-long conversation between Mr Turnbull and his Vietnamese counterpart following a last-minute decision by Hanoi to ban 50th anniversary commemorations, only about 700 Australians and New Zealanders veterans gained access to the site of one of the war's bloodiest battles.
"We're very disappointed that not all of the Australian veterans and their families were able to go to the Long Tan complex and reverently commemorate," he told Neil Mitchell on 3AW radio on Friday.
Mr Turnbull said about 1500 people had made the journey.
While he understood the issue was sensitive in Vietnam and the government there had the right to determine what ceremonies were held, to change the rules "literally the day before was very unreasonable".
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Mr Turnbull said next time Australia would be agreeing very clearly and publicly so there was no possibility of any misunderstanding.
The veterans affairs minister has flagged Australia and Vietnam will establish a memorandum of understanding on future Long Tan commemorations.
Dan Tehan thinks that's better than a review of the government's handling of 50th anniversary commemorations at the battle site.
