‘Don’t bring the war here’: Vietnamese soldier slams Maribyrnong council over flag

A Maidstone man who used to fight for South Vietnam says a Melbourne council is causing division and tension by flying the South Vietnamese flag.

The Maribyrnong council has marked the 40th anniversary of Vietnamese resettlement by flying the Co Vang flag, instead of the official Vietnamese flag.

South Vietnam fought under under the Co Vang flag in its war with the communist north.

Maidstone resident Anh Vo fought for South Vietnam, but says flying the South Vietnam flag is inappropriate.

‘The war is over. Don’t bring the war here,’ he told Neil Mitchell.

‘When you become an Australian citizen, you salute only one Australian flag.’

Click play to hear from Mr Vo

But local politician Bernie Finn disagrees.

He told Neil Mitchell that few Vietnamese people associate with the current Vietnamese flag.

Click play to hear from Bernie Finn