We loved the friendly atmosphere surrounding this place. We got to meet and chat with a number of members of the family. (I noted they also picked up cues and left people alone who were, unlike us, not interested in engaging). They provided us with lots of useful local information. The location was a good mix of local and tourist oriented development and accommodation, with interesting walks nearby and a free bike. It was about 2.5k from the bridge at the far end of the old city (although closer to its periphery). It was also about 2.5 from Cao Dai Beach. The more distant An Bang (sp?) beach is more popular, especially since a storm took lots of the sand from Cao Dai away. That said, Cao Dai is still an attractive and, when we were there, much less crowded beach. I would recommend staying well out of the ancient town, while it is a stunning UNESCO site, as it is very commercial and locals there appeared on the whole to be much more money oriented. We left feeling that this place - Magnolia Gardens - was really special and hoping to be able to return one day. (Nearby - Dingo Cafe for great Western coffee and a chance to find out what is happening in the local expat scene).
