About Sihanoukville
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Sihanoukville is the newest city in Cambodia coming into existance in 1960 seven years after Cambodia gained independence from France. The city is named after the then King Norodom Sihanouk and means the 'City of Sihanouk'. The former name of the area is Kampong Saom, literally meaning 'agreeable port' and many locals throughout Cambodia still refer to Sihanoukville as Kampong Saom. Also expats and visitors have pet names that you may hear for the city including 'Snooky' and 'Sinville'
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The History Of Sihanoukville
View Of Sihanoukville Port
The city started life as a deep-water port in order to link Cambodia with the rest of the world. The first settlement started in 1955 with workers cutting the orginal setting out of the jungle. Many of these workers and their families then stayed becoming the first citizens of Sihanoukville and lived and worked in the area of the present port which is found at the northern end of the city. With the completion in 2012 of the new freight railway line from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh the port area is still the main import and export centre for Cambodia. Many fishing boats are also found in the bay occupied by the port and seven kilometres further up the coast the oil and gas jetties protrude a thousand metres out into the Bay of Thailand servicing the tankers that supply Cambodia with much of it's energy needs.
The Geography Of Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville is located on a peninsula 230 kilometres by road from Phnom Penh. Situated 10.6 degrees North of the equator Sihanoukville is well within the tropical zone and true 'tropical paradises' can easily be reached from the city whether they be secluded beaches on the mainland or barely inhabited islands an hour or two by boat offshore. There are eight main beaches surrounding Sihanoukville and these are the main draw for most of the Cambodian and foreign visitors to the city. The busiest times for local visitors are during the numerous Khmer holidays when Cambodians from Phnom Penh and the provinces flock to the beach and at these times it can difficult to find accommodation. Foreign tourists mainly visit during the Northern Hemisphere's winter season as this sees long, dry days with temperatures in the low 30 degrees celsius and pleasantly low humdity. The centre for foreign tourists has changed over the years as Sihanoukville has expanded and whereas in the early days the 'Victory Hill' and beach area was backpacker central now the most touristy parts can be found around Serendipity and Ochheuteal beaches. The progression seems to be continuing with the previously unpopulated areas around Otres beach and on the nearby islands drawing more and more visitors and development.
The Different Areas Of Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville is a city of more than two hundred thousand permanent residents, covering a large area and as such much of this guide has been broken down into these seven geographic areas to enable ease of use.
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Serendipity Beach
Victory Hill & Beach |
Ochheuteal Beach
Downtown The Islands |
Otres Beach
Other Beaches |
The Beaches Of Sihanoukville
View Of Otres Beach
With Sihanoukville being on a penisula there are numerous beaches to visit each with their own different charm. Added to these are the beaches on the islands which pepper the horizon most of which are relatively undeveloped and offer that Robinson Crusoe experience. The eight most notable beaches of Sihanoukville can all be reached in minutes from downtown Sihanoukville and each has its own particular charm and ambiance. Some are packed with bars pumping out loud music into the wee hours of the night while others are quiet and serene. In 2010 three of the beaches in and around Sihanoukville were chosen by Forbes magazine as 'Asia's Best Beaches' including Otres Beach, Ream National Park and Koh Rong Samloem.
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Downtown Sihanoukville
View Of Downtown Sihanoukville
The commercial centre of Sihanoukville with the markets, banks, shops, schools and everyday businesses normally found in a bustling city. Also many hotels, guesthouses and restaurants offering services in more authentic Cambodian surroundings than can be found at the tourist hotspots. Many tourists barely visit the downtown area although a lot of the expat community prefer living in this area as it feels more like 'real Cambodia' with all the pros and cons that that entails. It can be an assault on the senses but can also provide some of the most memorable experiences whether wandering through the aisles of the main market looking for a bargain or trying to cross a road with motobikes carrying families of five coming at you from all directions.
The Islands
Aerial View Of Koh Ta Kiev
The coast of Cambodia is peppered with islands of various sizes and at varied stages of development. Many are home to small fishing communities but increasingly there has been a growth in tourism and numerous accommodation options have sprung up on the islands near to Sihanoukville. That said the level of development is still some twenty years or more behind Thailand so the 'Robinson Crusoe' experience can still easily be found just a couple of hours away by boat from downtown Sihanoukville. Budget accommodation can be had for a handful of dollars but it is also possible to spend thousands of dollars a night on a five-star island getaway.
Hotel & Other Accommodation In Sihanoukville
Accommodation options have been categorised by location and also by price. Sihanoukville is big and you don't want to be staying at a hotel on Victory Hill when you want to be partying 24/7 on Ochheuteal beach. Alternatively if you are not a member of the young 'Vodka Red Bull Bucket' party crowd and want to get some sleep at night you may well feel more at home on The Hill. We have divided Sihanoukville up into six areas plus The Islands.
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