The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was signed into law on March 28, 2017. It designates every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. March 29 is a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MAC-V) was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.  In addition, that same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. 

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all U.S. veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location. November 1, 1955 was selected to coincide with the official designation of MAAG-V; May 15, 1975 marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the SS Mayaguez. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are more than 6 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with 9 million families of those who served during this time frame.