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Resort
with Pristine Beaches
Better
known as Kampong Som to locals, this beautiful resort is about
230 km south west of Phnom Penh and here boasts the best beaches
in the Kingdom. |
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On
weekends as public holidays, the beaches are crowded with
local Khmers, tourists and expatriates alike.
The
Municipality of Sihanoukville is flanked by Kampong Speu,
Koh Kong and Kampot provinces.
Covering
just 1,283 square kilometer, it comprises three districts,
namely Mittapheap ( the downtown area), Prey Nop and Steung
Hav. These contain 22 communes and 85 villages.
Until
the French withdrawal from Indochina in 1954, Shihanoukville
was just a sleepy fishing village. After 1954 this area reverted
to Viet Nam. |
The
former king Sihanouk was one of the leading proponents for making
Kampong Som the new main port of his independent kingdom and it
was duly developed to become Cambodia’s only seaport nowadays.
It
was officially renamed Sihanoukville in honor of the king in 1959,
but reverted to it old name when king Sihanouk was removed from
power by Lon Nol in 1970 and Cambodia was declared a republic.
It
regained its old name during the time of the national elections
in 1993, but many locals now still refer to Sihanoukville as Kampong
Som.
Information:
Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia |
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Beaches, Sihanoukville
Kbal Chhay waterfall
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