Australia and Vietnam: The 50-Year Legacy Introduction

This special edition examines the enduring legacies of the Vietnam War in Australia, beginning with the fall of Saigon in April 1975 and the subsequent political, social, and cultural responses. The arrival of large numbers of Vietnamese refugees tested the end of the White Australia Policy, while veterans’ campaigns over the effects of Agent Orange reshaped public perceptions of soldiers and contributed to the Anzac Revival. The war remains a pivotal moment in Australian history, shaping debates over defence, foreign policy, and national identity. This special edition builds on existing historiography while extending it into new social, cultural, policy, and strategic perspectives, situating Australia's Vietnam War within broader transnational and Vietnamese-focused scholarship.