Obverse:
The crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right with the words ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA F.D. inscribed around the medal.

Reverse:
Bearing the word ‘VIETNAM’ at the top centre above a depiction of a man standing between two symbolic spheres, in representation of the ideological war in Vietnam.

Ribbon:
A broad central stripe of bright yellow surmounted by three thin red stripes and flanked by two red stripes. On the left edge is a dark blue stripe and a light blue stripe on the right edge.