ONE OF THE CENTRES OF POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS UNREST IN SOUTH VIETNAM IS THE SEAPORT CITY OF DANANG, ABOUT 380 MILES NORTH EAST OF SAIGON, AND THE LARGEST CITY IN CENTRAL VIETNAM.

DURING THE BAY OF TONKIN INCIDENT, BOMB SHELTERS WERE DUG ALONG THE EDGE OF DANANG'S HARBOUR BECAUSE OF ITS CLOSE PROXIMITY TO NORTH VIETNAM.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE MAKE THEIR LIVING FROM THE SEA AND HARBOUR FACILITIES. AT DANANG, IT'S A TYPICAL EASTERN TOWN, WITH TRISHAWS AND BICYCLES THE MAIN METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION, AND OPEN AIR MARKETS. MOST OF THE FOOD HAWKERS ARE WOMEN.

THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF DANANG ARE BUDDHISTS, AND THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE BUDDHIST MOVEMENT IS THE THAP XA PAGODA, ONE OF THE CITY'S BIGGEST PAGODAS AND THE HOME OF A SACRED RELIC SAID TO BE A BONE OF BUDDHA.

LAST MONTH, WHEN RELIGIOUS RIOTS BROKE OUT, BUDDHIST MOBS ATTACKED THE COMMUNITY OF ABOUT FIVE-THOUSAND ROMAN CATHOLICS WHO HAD MOVED DOWN FROM NORTH VIETNAM.

THE ROMAN CATHOLICS WHO FAILED TO ESCAPE IN BOATS WERE BEATEN UP. THE HOMES OF THE CHRISTIANS WERE DESTROYED.