Prior to Cambodia's civil war, Sihanoukville was an upscale French resort town favored by celebrities and the jetset. Since then, this small port village has endured Khmer occupation, bombings and general neglect to come almost full circle to its current-day guise as Cambodia's premier beach resort.

Sihanoukville's beaches are the tropical idyll. White sands disappear into the warm blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand, essentially offering a Thai island holiday at a cheaper price. The most popular beach in Sihanoukville is Sokha beach, and accommodation here ranges from low-budget guesthouses to high-end resorts. Guesthouses on Sokha beach tend to fill up quickly during major holiday periods, in which case many head to rocky Paradise beach in the next bay. Further south is Ochheuteal Beach and at the very northern end of Sihanoukville is Independence Beach and the iconic Independence Hotel, a holdover from the town's boom time.

SihanoukVille is located on the coast of Cambodia, about halfway between Thailand and Vietnam, on the Bay of Thailand.  A spread out tourist town for both foreigners and local people from all over the country.  Three sides of the town are bordered by tropical beaches and islands.  Filled with empty beaches, crowded beaches, seafood, restaurants, bars, Buddhist Temples, casinos, hotels, and more beaches.  At several hundred places, English is spoken; and many French speakers are here as well.  About 30 other languages are spoken at various guesthouses and restaurants.