The remains of the final two missing Defence personnel from the Vietnam War have been found.

Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver's Canberra bomber went missing in November 1970.

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, says their remains were found in an extremely remote area of Vietnam near the Laotian border.

"An Air Force investigation team which recently deployed to Vietnam have found human remains at the site where the wreckage of a Royal Australian Air Force Canberra bomber was located in April this year," Mr Combet said.

"The aircraft, which went missing on 3 November 1970, was flown by Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver."

Mr Combet says the recovery team transported the remains to Hanoi, where Vietnamese and Australian forensic specialists identified them as those of Michael Herbert, from South Australia, and Robert Carver from Queensland.

"Relatives of the two crew members have been advised of the discovery and Air Force will continue to keep them updated. These airmen gave their lives in the service of their nation. I hope finding the remains of the airmen will bring some comfort to the families," Mr Combet said.

"This is an excellent result for the investigation team and the cooperation of the Vietnamese authorities has been exceptional and highly valued by the team and the Government of Australia.

"Invaluable assistance has been given by a number of former North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers and their commanders as well as many local villagers. Their compassion and commitment to assisting this vital mission is greatly appreciated."

Mr Combet praised the work of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation in using innovative modelling techniques in order to refine the area of interest, plus the exhaustive and skilled research and expertise of the Army History Unit in supporting the investigation.

He also acknowledged the efforts and commitment to the recovery of Australian war dead shown by Jim Bourke and Operation Aussies Home.

A timetable for the return of the airmen's remains to Australia has yet to be agreed between the Australian and Vietnamese Governments.

Mr Combet says details of the airmen's burials are a private matter for their families.