2016 50c ANDA Sydney Vietnam War PNCAustralia entered the Vietnam War (1955 75) in 1962 in support of USA and its allies who were attempting to defend democracy and stem the spread of communism. After years of conflict, in April 1975 South Vietnam fell to the forces of communist North Vietnam. When Australian troops were withdrawn in 1971, almost 60,000 Australians had served in Vietnam. 521 Australian servicemen died and over 3,000 were wounded.