DANANG, 375 MILES NORTHEAST OF SAIGON, WHERE A VITAL AND IMPORTANT MILITARY AIRBASE IS LOCATED, IS SWARMED OVER THE WEEKENDS WITH OFF-DUTY AMERICAN MARINES. WEEKENDS MEAN BOOM TIME FOR THE INHABITANTS OF THIS COASTAL TOWN WHICH HAS COME INTO PROMINENCE SINCE THE WAR IN VIETNAM SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ENDING.

TO EXERCISE THEIR ACHING MUSCLES, SOME OF THE MARINES PREFER TO FLOCK TO THE MY KHE BEACH FOR A SWIM, OTHERS BRING ALONG STRAW MATTRESSES TO BASK IN THE SUN. ARMED AMERICAN POLICEMEN CONSTANTLY PATROL THE BEACH TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR THE FUN-LOVING MARINES.

SINCE THE WAR HAS TRANSFORMED THIS ONCE UNKNOWN FISHING VILLAGE INTO A TEEMING CITY FULL OF LIFE, SEVERAL SNACK BARS, BARBER SHOPS AND DANCE HALLS HAVE MUSHROOMED TO CATER FOR THE MARINES.

PINEAPPLES WHICH ARE GROWN IN ABUNDANCE IN SOUTH-EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES, ARE BEING SOLD LIKE HOT CAKES TO THE MARINES WHEN THEY GO INTO TOWN ON A SHOPPING SPREE.

VILLAGE CHILDREN ALSO GRASP AT THIS WEEKEND HOLIDAY TO EARN EXTRA MONEY FOR THEIR PARENTS. THE SERVICE THEY RENDER: MASSAGING THE ACHING BODIES OF THE MARINES. OTHER CHILDREN MINGLE WITH THE MARINES IN THE HOPE OF GETTING SOME SWEETS OR CHOCOLATES TO EAT.