Sihanoukville, Cambodia

The History of Sihanoukville goes back only as far as 1955 when the area was known as “Kampong Saom”.  In August of that year, a French/Cambodian construction team cut a base camp into the unoccupied jungle where they laid the groundwork for the construction of the new Port of Kampong Saom.

Prior to 1954, “Indochina” (Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) was a single political unit under French jurisdiction.  During this period, Cambodia maintained international sea trade via the Mekong River.  But the dissolution of French Indochina in 1954 meant the Mekong delta reverted to the control of Vietnam.  Seeking unfettered access to the ocean, plans were made to construct a new ocean port. Kampong Saom was selected for sea water depth and ease of access.

Construction of the Port and Route 4 (road to Phnom Penh) was carried out from 1955-1960.  Funds for construction of the port came from France, and the road was finance by the USA.  Upon the completion of the project, the town was renamed Sihanouk Ville in honor to the King of Cambodia (King Norodom Sihanouk-present king).

Sihanoukville heyday came in 1960s.  The commercial success of the port in the city led to a flurry construction of Brewery plant, Oil depot and numbers of Hotels and Restaurant and developing of white sand beaches which pave the increased interest of tourism.

Sihanouk Ville entered the history of the American/Vietnamese conflict during the late 1960’s and early 70’s.  It served as a transit point for weapon bound for both pro and anti- American forces in Vietnam.  The town most direct involvement came on May 13, 1975 when the Khmer Rouge captured the S.S. Mayaguez, a U.S. container ship.  Attempting to release the ship and its crew, the U.S. engaged Khmer Rouge forces at Koh Tang, an island near Sihanouk Ville.  They met fierce resistance and suffered heaving losses.  American bombers struck the naval base at Ream, warehouses at the Port, the airfield, the train yard and the oil refinery north of town.  The ship and its crew were released May 15, during the battle.

Nowadays, Sihanouk Ville is as much a beach town, catering to weekend visitors from Phnom Penh and steadily increasing foreign visitors.  Life in Sihanouk Ville is quite slow.  Cows wander in the main road, beaches are largely undeveloped.  Sihanouk Ville is a comfortable four hours bus ride in concrete asphalt road 230 Km. from Phnom Penh.  Many foreign visitors arrived crossing the border of Thailand in the neighbor province called Koh Kong both by ferry and newly opened road via Saray Amble were the access to Sihanouk Ville.  Sihanouk Ville is divided to three districts.  Prey Nop and Steung Haw, which have an average distance of 25 kilometer from Khan Mettapheap which is the City center.  Sihanouk Ville has approximately 200,000 in population which most of them live in rural areas.