Thayer Consultancy Background Brief:

ABN # 65 648 097 123

Vietnam Objects to New
Australian Coin
May 8, 2023

Regarding the recent controversy surrounding

the newly issued Australian two dollar coin
which bears the red and yellow colours of the
former South Vietnamese regime, the
Republic of Vietnam (RVN): Vietnam’s Ministry
of Foreign Affairs has voiced its opposition to
the coin issued by the Royal Australian Mint
because it bears features of the RVN flag. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the flag is
associated with a regime that they deem
illegitimate.
Q1. What is your assessment of this matter,
particularly with respect to the historical
context and symbolism of the flag?
ANSWER: Approximately 60,000 Australians volunteered or were conscripted to fight
in South Vietnam in the 1960s as allies of the then Republic of Vietnam. Those who
served were given service ribbons to wear on their uniforms in recognition of the
sacrifice they made. These ribbons contained a yellow background with three red
stripes, the colours of the flag of the former Republic of Vietnam. But this flag is older
than the Republic; it was first used by the State of Vietnam seven years earlier.
The printing of the new two-dollar coin with the ribbons embossed on these coins
should be taken within historical context. The decision to send 60,000 soldiers to
Vietnam was made by the Australian government of the day. The Labor Party was not
in power and it opposed the war in Vietnam. When it came to power in December
1972, it extended diplomatic recognition to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
“Let bygones be bygones” was the catch phrase used by Vietnamese officials many
years ago after the Vietnam War ended. We cannot erase history but we can put it
behind us, focus on reconciliation, and go forward together to address common
challenges.
The Labor Party is now the government of Australia. The new two-dollar coin does not
represent any change in Australia’s policy towards Vietnam. The new two-dollar coin
is an internal Australian affair recognizing the service and sacrifice of war veterans
 2

who are now in their late 70s or 80s. Instead of overreacting, Vietnamese officials
should have taken the advice many years ago and “let bygones be bygones.”
Q2. What implications might this issue have on diplomatic relations between Vietnam
and Australia? Do you believe that there could be a potential resolution to this
dispute?
ANSWER: The controversy over the two dollar coin is unfortunate because it is a
blemish on celebrations this year by Vietnam and Australia commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Hopefully it will be a “storm
in a tea cup” and not impede progress on raising bilateral relations to a comprehensive
strategic partnership.
Q3. The Vietnamese government seems to be very sensitive to symbols of the former
South Vietnam. The former Independence Palace has been renamed Reunification
Palace and converted to a museum. The South Vietnamese flag on aircraft, vehicles,
etc. are crossed out. Why are those symbols so “threatening” to Hanoi?
ANSWER: The flag of the former Republic of Vietnam remains a symbol to rally those
Vietnamese who were on the losing side of the war and who refuse to reconcile with
the communist government in Vietnam. Vietnamese officials identify “peaceful
evolution” – the overthrow of socialism by hostile external forces in alliance with
reactionary domestic anti-regime elements – as a threat. To these officials, the threat
of peaceful evolution is either very real and could spark a “colour revolution,” or the
threat of peaceful revolution is just a pretext to justify repression of anyone promoting
pluralism, democracy, human rights, and religious freedom.

Suggested citation: Carlyle A. Thayer, “Vietnam Objects to New Australian Coin,”

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Thayer Consultancy provides political analysis of current regional security issues and
other research support to selected clients. Thayer Consultancy was officially
registered as a small business in Australia in 2002.