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Travel Information for Sihanoukville (Kampong Som)
mr.hotsia travel Cambodia Sihanoukville HOT00476
Travel Information for Sihanoukville (Kampong Som), the beautiful coastal city of Cambodia
Hello dear readers, I am mr.hotsia. I would like to share my travel experience in Sihanoukville, also known by its old name Kampong Som, the top seaside city of Cambodia. I have had the chance to visit twice, the latest in July 2012. This time I planned to stay several nights to fully enjoy the Cambodian sea atmosphere—eating, sightseeing, and truly experiencing the local lifestyle.
Atmosphere and Overview of Sihanoukville
For me, Sihanoukville is similar to Pattaya in Thailand but without the hustle or many beer bars. The beaches are cleaner and much quieter. The sea water here is clear, although the sand is not as white as Koh Samet. What impressed me most is the authentic Khmer coastal lifestyle, such as women carrying trays on their heads selling goods along the beach—a scene I have never seen anywhere else. Additionally, Khmer and Vietnamese people offer massage and nail services by the beach, making the beach vibrant and culturally diverse.
Getting to Sihanoukville
Traveling to Sihanoukville is convenient with several options depending on your preference. If coming from Thailand, I recommend the route through Trat province via the permanent border crossing at Ban Hat Lek, Khlong Yai district, Trat province. This border is open for Thai and foreign travelers to cross easily. (Read detailed travel information from Trat to Sihanoukville athere)
). Also, Sihanoukville has an international airport about 18 kilometers from the city center on National Road NR4, suitable for travelers seeking speed. For getting around the city, I suggest walking safely within the city or hiring a tuk-tuk to visit attractions like Koh Pu Island, which has a beautiful pier extending into the sea. Tuk-tuk fares are affordable and negotiable.
Accommodation in Sihanoukville
This time I chose to stay atSihanouk Timeshare Hotelwhich is located on the second beach road, not directly on the beach but within walking distance. The hotel works well during the day, but at night if there is a power outage, the hotel does not provide backup electricity, which is common in Sihanoukville where power often goes out daily. Therefore, if you plan to stay here, I recommend choosing larger hotels with backup power systems or consider other hotels in the city, which are plentiful and affordable, mostly starting around 15 USD per night. (Read more accommodation information atRecommended Accommodation in Sihanoukville)
Lifestyle and Fresh Markets in Sihanoukville
I really enjoy walking through the markets in Sihanoukville, especially the fresh market near my hotel. Walking there in the morning lets you see the real local lifestyle. For example, when children go to school, teachers stand to greet them at the school gate, and the kids help pick up trash along the roadside, reminding me of my childhood memories when teachers asked us to clean around the school. (Read more about Sihanoukville markets atSihanoukville Market)
). This fresh market offers a variety of fresh goods and daily necessities. There is also a dry market selling clothes and essentials throughout the day. I recommend visiting the market in the morning to truly experience the lifestyle of Sihanoukville locals.
Food in Sihanoukville That Impressed mr.hotsia
The food here is a highlight I really like because Khmer and Thai cuisines are similar, making it easy and enjoyable to eat. I tried many local dishes such as grilled pork rice, fried duck egg, and morning coffee as a great start to the day. For lunch, noodles are popular, and at night there are late-night eateries selling chicken rice porridge, fish rice porridge, and fried noodles.
What impressed me most and I highly recommend everyone to try isFish rice porridge with Kampot black pepperThe black pepper here is very famous and was historically exported to France when Cambodia was a French colony. Therefore, this dish has both interesting flavor and history. (Read details about food and restaurants I tried atFood and Restaurants in Sihanoukville)
). I also tried grilled stingray and grilled pork knuckle, which are easy to find in this city and have distinctive flavors. Additionally, food and fruit are sold on trays carried on heads along the beach and in the city, a charming and unusual sight for tourists like me.
Beaches and Must-See Attractions
Sihanoukville has several beautiful and clean beaches such asOchheuteal BeachandSerendipity BeachThese beach areas have shady trees, rental chairs, and small restaurants, perfect for relaxing. There is alsoOtres Beachwhich is quiet and equally beautiful. Meanwhile,Sokha Beachis a private beach with luxury hotels.
Another place I recommend isKoh Pu Islandlocated near the coast with a wooden pier extending several hundred meters into the sea. It is a beautiful viewpoint and great for photography. The atmosphere is peaceful and ideal for relaxation.
For those who enjoy massages, I recommend trying a beach massage by Khmer locals at affordable prices with friendly service, which is another charm of this city. (Read more atKhmer Beach Massage in Sihanoukville)
Summary of Experience from mr.hotsia
Sihanoukville is a charming coastal city with unique natural beauty, perfect for those wanting to escape the hustle of big cities and experience authentic local life. I, mr.hotsia, have traveled and explored every corner of this city—from fresh markets, beaches, local food, to Koh Pu Island and various accommodations. All these made a strong impression on me, and I highly recommend everyone to experience it themselves.
If you are planning to visit Sihanoukville, don’t forget to prepare your accommodation well. Choose hotels with backup power and plan your travel according to the attractions you want to visit. I guarantee this trip will be filled with wonderful memories just like mine.