- Because the Mekong was long Cambodia’s major thoroughfare, the coastal region never developed as a trade center. With the Vietnam War, however, Cambodia was forced to look for  alternate routes. A sleepy fishing village and almost forgotten container port on Cambodia's short coastline, Sihanoukville became of enormous interest to the government in Phnom Penh in the sixties, when the usual trade routes up the Mekong were suddenly cut because of the Second Indochina War.

- A road was built from Phnom Penh to the coast with American aid in 1960s. Sihanoukville was founded in 1964 by its namesake, underwent a name change under the Khmer Rouge to Kompong Som, and reverted to its original name upon the return of the king in 1991.

- Sihanoukville has two entities, port and resort. This deep-water port in the Gulf of Thailand was developed with Soviet aid. Fishing is a major activity in Sihanoukville, with a cannery north of the main port. The national beer maker, Angkor Brewery, operates from Sihanoukville. There are plans to build an oil refinery, and international companies are exploring along the Gulf of Thailand for offshore oil and gas.

- The port is undergoing a $5-million face-lift thanks to a dramatic rise in shipping activity. The Angkor Beer brewery is also based here. Renovations include the construction of a new container terminal, repairs to 1950s-era water-front warehouses, installation of new cranes and cargo-handing equipment, and the purchase of new tugboats. With the new facilities, Sihanoukville could become an important transit stop for inter-Asia cargo. The town is receiving a massive transfusion of foreign investment funds, and has been earmarked for major tourist development. For many years, Sihanoukville's pristine, peaceful, white sand beaches have been a secret of a few hardy travellers. Though not in anyway the equal of Thailand's magnificent beaches, the palm-dotted sands surrounding Sihanoukville are nevertheless uncrowded and unspoilt by the mass tourism monster - all this is about to change. With the cessation of hostilities throughout the country and a desire to encourage tourism, foreign investment is being channeled towards Sihanoukville, with the intention of making it a popular destination for gamblers. Sihanoukville is slated to become a Casino city. There are plans for a $400-million casino resort on Naga Island off the coast, complete with an international airport. The Tourism Ministry says casinos will be restricted to foreign  passport holders, and that strict controls will be implemented to prevent criminal activities. The government plans to levy a one-percent gaming tax for distribution to worthy cultural and welfare organizations and causes. In the 1950s and 1960s several casinos operated in Cambodia.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

- Ou Chheu Teal beach locates at Sangkat No 3, Sihanouk Ville. The beach has the most beautiful characteristics-large beautiful sand beach, shallow water and quiet sea. We found the beach has specific either geographical aspect or the arrangement. Most of tourists who visit here are foreign tourists. They usually stay at Crystal Hotel and Seaside Hotel

- Sokha beach has long length, deep water and crowded by local visitors. The beach has varied food for sale and available accommodation for visitors.

- Pram Pi Choan beach has short length, marrow space and big wave. Most of tourists who visit here are local tourists. The beach is averagely crowded ranking after Sokha beach.

- Deum Chrey Beach or Muk Sala Krong Beach. There are few tourists swimming at the Beach because the Beach has a big restaurant, which can pollute the swimming spot. However, most tourists like visiting here after swimming because the beach has beautiful park and statues for tourists to take pictures.

- Koh Poos resort is the quiet island having white sand and locating at one –Kilometer distance from the beach. This island has not many tourists because the island has not been developed yet. Most tourists, who visit the island, usually as group, need to bring along their food. 

- Phnom Leu resort is the natural and cultural resort consisting of mountain and a pagoda built on the mountaintop, and has been called on by the local people during the festival days; at the mountaintop, tourists can view the beautiful scenary, especially the beauty of Sihanouk Ville beach.

- Clan - water source of Kbal Chhay locates at Khan Prey Nup in seven-Kilometer distance from the Sihanouk Ville Town, then turning left more nine-Kilometers by a red soil road. The waterfall of Kbal Chhay has many sources from the mountain rank at the seaside. The history of Kbal Chhay waterfall was found in 1960. Until 1963 Kbal Chhay arranged as the clean-water sources for providing to Sihanouk Ville, but the arrangement was failed became a hidden place for Khmer Rouge. In 1997, Kbal Chhay was changed to the developing zone. In 1998 Kbal Chhay was for bid by Kok An Company on constructing road and changing this site as tourist resort for local and international tourists. Nowadays, the Royal Government of Cambodia has changed this site as the clean-water sources for providing clean water to Sihanouk Ville.