We left Saigon and took a 6 hour bus ride to this resort town where resorts (even 5 star western style resorts) line the black and white sand beach. No need for a 5 stqr hotel though, for every hotel is on the same beach. The waves here are big, and most people are here to kite surf and wind surf. The wind is relentless - but such a nice break from the heat. The day we spent in Saigon it was 42 degrees with 90% humidity...so it felt like 50 degrees...so I am not kidding when I say my brain is melting at times. Here it is only 34 and the wind feels wonderful, and the sound of waves crashing on the beach 15 feet from my bed is very relaxing at night.Nate and I have a private bungalow,
15 feet off the water, with a private patio with padded lounge chairs, a pool, palm trees, nice bathroom, wells stocked mini bar (beer is $.80)...all for a whopping $25/night. 
The restaurant next door - also on the water so you can enjoy the sea breeze, has AMAZING food, also for just a few dollars for a lovely meal...including plentyo0f crunchy vegetables! I would absolutely come back here for a week R&R type vacation as a break from winter, and I would say it is well worth the 1/2 day drive from Ho Chi Minh City to get here. 
Tomorrow a.m. we will arise at 4:30 am (to beat the heat) and go tour the red and white sand dunes, canyons, and various sites around here. I will upload photos if possible tomorrow night while we are waiting for our flight to Tokyo.Today after laying on the beach reading for a few hours I went for a back, head, and hand massage...very nice and relaxing. Set me back a staggering $7! We went swimming a few times, and frolicked in the large waves, but the water here is so warm it is not really very refreshing...and the under tow is strong, so the water is not for the weak swimmer...not a great place for young kids, although the sand is amazing....black as ink...with a layer of wonderful white on top...and soft and fine as powdered sugar. Last night as we walked along the beach (the tide was out) from the restaurant to our hotel, there were large crabs that would scurry across the sand to the water. The stars were amazing and in the distance was a lightening storm. Very romantic....and while I love my son, I was sort of wishing my fiance Stephane was here. No worries...I will bring him back here one day. I figure we could easily live here for $350/month...so when we retire, we can come here one winter...it rivals Roatan!
Sun, sand, ocean breeze, starry nights, cheap beer, and air conditioning...what else does one need?? Oh yeah...someone to tuck you in at night and bring you slippers in the morning.
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