Thanks for watching guys ☺️ don’t forget to check out our whole series on Cambodia! th-cam.com/play/PLC6SbCuy0SDQJb8z9RMvyi3qikiMRzlWl.html Behind the scenes on Instagram ☺️ instagram.com/abbyandgaz?igsh=emlxaGptdTFzeTg2&
Bcuz that's the land of Chinese out of the mainland.99 yrs.take over n rental for casinos and gambling or scaming bussiness there by Chinese mafias.the chinese investors expelled local ppl.out of their land.poor for them.😢😢😢😢😂😂😂
I'm on my way over there, last time was in 15 when it was merely a backpackers' haven and kinda down on its luck. Now want to see just what billions in Chinese yuan have done, don't expect too much, a lot of casinos but hoping maybe 1 of those beachfront hotels might offer reasonable lodging?
Thanks for this, we are planning our itinerary and had 2 nights here before our flight back to Siem Reap after Koh Rong. Will be reducing that to one night (as flight too early to get from Koh Rong that morning)
Indeed it use to be a place of paradise that’s our King Norodom favorite chosing retreat location before the war(1975-1979) then China investment lost half of Sihanoukville gems retreat location nowadays 😢
@@Gast1209 Thank you for promoting about Cambodia . That’s why this location hold a precious place and a precious memories before the modern Genocide occurs (1975-1979) for our King Norodom Sihanouk it became Sihanoukville.
I left this town back in late 1979 and the city was like a ghost town with a lot of old buildings were destroyed from the war. I've returned to visit my birthplace every year for the last ten years since my retirement from the US. Cambodia has come a long way since the prolonged civil war ended abruptly in 1998. There are always pros and cons no matter where we live. Most of my family members did not survive the atrocities there. Life is short to do the things we don't love doing. Be mindful. Be kind whenever possible. Take care and enjoy your trip from a genocide survivor. Peace out!
I’ll honor your word of wisdom big brethren . 💯 accurate. I’m also Kun Khmers grow up in America i left Cambodia at age 3 years old my beloved father recall the story or Sihanoukville was a treasure retreat island for the king Norodom because of its spectacular sceneries . It was a beautiful city but Pol Pol destroying Cambodia country 😢🇰🇭💔🙏
I came here after listening to the 'Search Engine' podcast episode 'Who's behind those scammy texts we've all been getting'. I had to see this place for my self. Seems like you guys dodged the right area. Terrifying 😮
In the olden days, the beaches were so beautiful with Bkue water and white sand ❤ now dirty rubbishes everywhere muddy colour water, I hope it will be better soon ❤❤❤
I left see had Knoxville 11 years ago when the Chinese first started taking over and that’s when it went for a dive and I heard it’s also very expensive but my daughter was born there we’d like to revisit it so we’re looking for information on aFord ability
I’m Cambodian Khmers American, Sihanoukville before the darkest time of Genocides (1975-1979) wasn’t like that . Our King Norodom Sihanoukville was one if he’s favorite Spa or favorite retreat location as for its beautiful sceneries full of natural resources , beautiful sandy beaches, Seafood ,fresh water lakes , etc…But , Since the War that bombarded Cambodia and killed almost half Millions of its people and Sihanoukville will not be the same . The city of Sihanoukville was also known for our King Norodom Sihanouk chosing favorite location or favorite retreat place ,that’s why Cambodia named the city Sihanoukville. On the new modern day since China has invested almost half of the city of Sihanoukville it became like another ground breaking they brought Casinos investment , gamblings and other unusual activities that turn Sihanoukville into another level of dimension. And also our Khmers native that use to live in Sihanoukville are forces and receive threat to move out to another directions or another places because of the new infrastructre build by China investments ! it’s a very tragic and sad circumstances❤🙏🇰🇭😓.
I first went to Sihanoukville in early 2010, it's was so different then, a low rise backpacker paradise, there were hotels too, but none of the high rises and casinos. I went back again in late 2011 and early 2012 and I was largely the same. In 2010 I spent about 5 days in Victory Hill, which was the most westerly part of the tourist area. I was drawn to Victory Hill by the Lonely Planet, which described it as an old hippy hangout. Down the hill, the beach had a few small wooden restaurants close to the sea. It was so low key and chilled, a little paradise. I explored Sihanoukville on one of the ubiquitous 125cc scooters, venturing east a few kilometres to Serendipity, which was larger and more lively than Victory Hill, but still very low key, the beaches lined with small restaurants / bars and comfortable cushioned seats where tourists and locals relaxed and swam in the clear waters of the sea. A few kms further east was Otres, and area where there were no asphalt roads, just dirt/sandy tracks, where pretty much all the buildings either side of the track were wooden/bamboo. The sands were pure white and the sea crystal clear. I remember on my first trip, small cows eating grass on the edge of the beach, literally 5 metres from the sea. It was such a beautiful and relatively unspoilt area. Sadly now, that's all changed, last time I was in Sihanoukville in 2018 there were dozens of casinos in operation, and other high rises buildings going up. You could see the unstoppable sea of change was in full swing, that change continued until recently and now most of Sihanoukville is totally unrecognisable. I've never been anywhere that has changed so much, so rapidly, Sihanoukville's heart and soul has well and truly been crushed and concreted over by mass Chinese investment /development. So sad.
Why are you happy to see this city remain a backwater forever? What's wrong with development? Why can't the West come and build something for them instead of talking and whining about the Chinese?
@@Janovial development is inevitable, but the development in Sihanoukville is a mess.. Masses of unfinished buildings, main roads running very close and parallel to once beautiful peaceful beaches, casinos galore, many of which don't even allow Cambodians to enter them/work in them... This development has all been about the Chinese making lots and lots of money at the detriment to the majority of the locals
@@andrewgibbs7279 The bulk of the responsibility falls on the Cambodian government. You should know Cambodia is a 3rd world country. It doesn't have any economy prior and corruption is rife. The Chinese were definitely there to make money through vice mostly. It did help with the economy and brought development to the infrastructure. Then, came the bust.
@@Janovial yes I agree the Cambodian govt allowed the development to happen, the Chinese just took advantage of the situation...that still doesn't change the fact that it's changed beyond recognition and for the worse... I could be wrong, but I bet the vast majority of people would think the same and if they could go bsck up how Sihanoukville was 10 years ago they would.
passed through on the way to kampot from Koh rong, shitville as the people called it, provided a few nice abandoned tower climbs with wicked views. Shitville was a backpackers paradise before the Chinese investments and it was the place to go in Cambodia.
I used to live in Sihanoukville for 7 months!! Trust me it is dangerous there's a lot of kidnappings I witnessed a kidnapping at gun point a white van kidnapped a chinese guy they all had ski masks and guns and while I was leaving one of the casinos one Cambodian strong guy yelled at me to remove my baseball cap and I said okay and he pulled it off while tugging my hair and hit me then when I started to cry and called the manager he denied it and I threatened to call the police if they don't check the security cameras they did and found out he was lying the caisno did compensate me . There's a lot of scammers and scam sites it was such a difficult time 😢 the place you went to Yasmine bar is owned by a Turkish man who has been living in Sihanoukville for 10 years it was the only place with decent food and there's another one similar to it owned by a French guy called Le Barang steak house they have amazingly delicious food but overly price watch your video gave me anxiety and brought me back to all the bad things that happened to me 😢I just left 3 months ago
China and invaders has brought back lots of Casinos investment and crimes and unusual activities into our country ,our native Khmers are forcibly to move away to another part of locations due to China and invaders infrastructure investments . Sihanoukville are know for its gems retreat for our King Sihanouk that’s the reason it’s called Sihanoukville. China are experts in crimes and scams they bring all these messes into Cambodia and blame the entire country we know our origin Cambodia are mostly kind hearts genuine people hardworking and don’t bother other countries but since China took half of its city Sihanoukville become a different versions that some people seen as they never seen what’s Sihanoukville look like before. China and some foreigners are chosen Cambodia for it’s kind of mess because our Govnment are blind by the lust of wealth from abroad and forget to enforced its punishments and stricted law as for crimes , scams and gamblings that affected all the beauty of the country.
Omg 12 years ago I was in this town now I don’t recognize anything , I don’t think there were any casinos and I don’t.see any Chinese, the beach was amazing full of great bars , cheap food mainly backpackers great atmosphere in the evenings xx looking at your video I will not be returning xx thanks xx
Oh wow.. I lived there 6 months in 2011 and how different it was. They've concreted the beachside walk and all the little bars owned by locals and expats are gone! Only the Chinese could suck the vibe out of little beach town so effectively. The streets behind the beach had all local soups and such for $3-4.
Since those Chinese investors and developers abandoned all of their casino-building projects and left dozens of buildings unfinished, Sihanoukville has become a lost cause. And I wanted to retire there. 😢
‘This place is an absolute dump.’ I’d dissagree. Come to the united states, there are worse places- heck even places in which people will hit you either purposely, or accidentally and drive off. The main reason it’s partially closed/ghost city, is because of Covid. Edit: I am hoping however, that sihonoukville gets back up and running, as it has lots of potential to become a heavy hitter relative to other Cambodian cities. It has a great local too.
Totally agree there are dumps in all countries but the unfinished buildings, rubbish all over the street and closed down tourist attractions make this much worse than anywhere else in Cambodia we visited. Covid killed the city but also the government allowing lots of Chinese investors to move in and then partially banning gambling was also a huge factor. We hope too that the Cambodian government try to prioritise the recovery of this city ☺️☺️
Wow a few years ago it seem to be a hot place, pre covid..I had heard that the Chinese have came and messed it up. Oh well, things get better, some things get worst.
The comment about almost getting hit by a car even when it was the car's fault was what I experienced when I was in Cambodia. It seems like cars really do own the roads there.
Decent video but you guys could have do bit more research before coming here. Amazing beaches just few kilometres away from the beach you stayed where more western tourist also stay. Where you were used to be tourist spot before covid but as you saw, covid hit hard and many constructions and hotels had to close in the area. Plenty of amazing western food places where dish is like $3-$5 or even cheaper if you are ok to eat local khmer food in other parts of city. All the neighbourhoods in Sihanoukville safe even though you might read something else or they might look poor. All locals are amazing and friendly. Also there are things to do: - Bicycling (mountain or road cycling along the beach or on the mountains/hills outside of the city). There is bike lane that is 25km long along the beaches). - Karting - Golf - Waterfalls - Wild monkeys spotting/feeding at Indepence hotel's forrest - Kayaking/SUP on the beach or at mangrove rivers - Shopping (big mall and big duty free shopping center) - Swimming and hanging out on the beach (you seemed to skip practically all the beaches, only checked one. which happen to be the worst, out of some 10 beaches the city has to offer) ... -
Ok thanks so much. We did do quite a lot of research but all the top articles are very outdated and suggest things that are all shut!! Someone needs to write a new article with updated information ☺️
The only good thing about about Sihanoukville nowadays is Koh Rong island. Sihanoukville is pretty horrible these days. Sad, because it used to be a great city back in the day. All along that beach there used to be bars buzzing full of young backpackers. Its ruined. Koh Rong should have been on your itinerary guys.
I was in Koh Rong in 2011. I still remember the paradice beach which is called Long set beach. It was completely empty. Just a long, hot beach with a "lagoon" a true paradice, but now when I watch the aerial footage from google earth it's full of building and planted trees on the beach. I'm glad that I got to experience a true paradice before it became a tourist destination.
@@deslow7411 totally changed, lots of resorts there now. Beautiful island. The Philippines is probably the best place to see beaches like Koh Rong back in the day, but you will have to travel into the remote provinces.
lmao, nobody is happy. Landed in Thailand nobody is happy they say, too hot, too wet, went to Phuket, too many Russians, prices have gone up, off to see Sihanoukville, it's garbage everyone says Chinese wrecked it then pulled out. Hahah maybe I should just go back to LA, everyone hates that too. I'm having a good time. I don't mind if others don't like it, I've had fun seeing things and meeting some people. I never came for shagging and dope or the party scene, just a change of scene, and since I know nothing about SE Asia it has been just that.
The problem is you need to go there to catch the boat to Koh Rong. I'm in Sihanoukville for 1 night next week before going over to Koh Rong for 6 nights. My 30 day visa ends on the 21st.I was looking at flights to Krabi where I want to go to sort out my visa extension for Thailand. The flights out of the airport are well overpriced. I look at the same flight from Phnom Penh and over £140 cheaper so Im getting a bus back to Pnom Penh and stopping in an hotel right near to the airport for my flight out.
@@AbbyandGaz Not really a nightmare, water of a ducks back to this 55 year old Englishman old fart lol. I'll check out that place to get some scran. I'm curious so spending a night there before heading across to Koh Rong.
i stayed there for two months eight years ago and it was party central, day and night. looks like a completely different place. Everyone i knew living there bugged out to kampot, when the chinese started buying everything up and developing.
COVID really destroyed the momentum of Cambodia. It will take them years to recover. SIHANOUKVILLE was one of the hottest cities in SE Asia seven years ago.
The beach is too shallow, you need to sit to get your shoulders wet and this before 9am afterwards it becomes piss temperature. Until 2017, there were many bungalows along the beach that Cambodians came with families for a weekend or celebrate a marriage. I could rent for $6 per day with village atmosphere. All gone forever. The Chinese bought everything, schools ,hospitals, police stations included.
I've been living for about 3 years, this city is not worth visiting for tourists, the price of food is overprice, and maybe almost everything is very overprice here. it's good if you want to go to cambodia, I recommend going to siem reap. because the cost of living there is almost half the cost of living in sihanoukvile. thank you.
It has nice beaches there that’s for sure. That city belongs to China , only the high ranking Cambodian people make money from it but not for normal Cambodian people. I would rather go to other Southeast Asia countries than Cambodia
Yeah Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh are worst places in Cambodia . Sihanoukville is mostly chinese casino paradise and Phnom Penh are just big city and lot of bad people . Siem Reap is absolutley the best place in Cambodia .Everything nice and clean and lot of nice people .Kampot is really nice and Battambang is quite nice to visit also . If you love beach then Koh Rong Samloem is best.
Nothing to do in Sihanoukville, which probably explains so many men had to provide their own entertainment by walking around with both hands in their pockets!
Yer it's pretty bleak there we past though 3 days ago and I was pleasantly surprised at the about the amount of paved roads and lack of open swears relative to 4 year ago (we actually thought it seemed ok just heading to the port) but good to knew it's still the lameist) place in Asia after all
Went there in 2002. Nice chill place. Met quite a few western backpackers that started little business's like bars and restaurants for about $2000. Once was legendary like Lake View in PP but gone to crap because of the $0 Chinese tourists and shady businessmen. Hopefully all of SE Asia learns the lesson.
I only remember 1 Otres beach, Was there a my month ago and from When I was there before 2017, it's all Changed Since.. All forist trees gone Promenade now. A lot off good accommodation near there is gone, Breath-fully Stayed at pipa papa resort but quickly escaped as think it ensemble a Japanese War Camp similar to bridge on the river kwai movie.
Do not expect that Cambodia to be similar to Thailand. Thai people have had bad experiences from Cambodian people. During year 1336, King Jayavarman the 9th, one of a Thai king, was killed by Khmer (Cambodian) salves while he was sleeping. After that the Khmers ruled Angkor Wat so that the end of Angkor Wat civilization. At that time, however the Thais had many kingdoms. Only 13 years after King Jayavarman the 9th died, another Thai kingdom, Ayutthaya, send army to seize Angkor Wat. Since then, Cambodia had been a colony of Thailand for 500 years. The original owner of Angkor Wat was an ancient Thai king which used Indian engineers and Cambodian salves to build it.
I am from Singapore. I first step into Sihanoukville in around 2015-2016. At that time Sihavoukville was a sleepy town, china investors have not arrived and so there were not so much tall buildings. In 2017, there were only a handful of casinos such as Holiday Palace, La Vogue, Sokha, Queenco, about 3 to 4 casinos around the Lion roundabout, and a few more which I forgot the names. In 2023, I went to Sihanoukville again and I saw many casinos operated by China people. Comparing 2017 and 2023, the roads have been resurfaced, looks better and slightly wider. At night, with all those casino lightings, Sihanoukville look stunning. In conclusion, I would say that Sihanoukville todays looks better then the past. Security wise, sihanoukville is safe but you need to inject some commonsense to protect yourself. Dont expose your jeweleries, money, beware of snatch thief, secure your rental motorcycle, always park your rental motorcycles in places that have security guards. Too bad, Sihanoukville Square, around the lion roundabout, this place used to have many pubs, is closed. Its relocated into another area, far away from sihanoukville square, the road is bumpy towards this new place, sorry I forgot the name. For Pubs, then you need to go to Victory hill, there are only a handful of pubs. Elsewhere, pubs, ktvs are scattered all around. Theres also a short street nickname Blue Mountain, st number 805, not far from the central wet market, in it are freelancers sitting outside, waiting for customers to book them.
Looks better than the past? With murky green water, trash everywhere and abandoned buildings ? 2016 is past ? Not to mention the crime. If you had known the city in 2000s , 2010 then you could write something, you are not qualified for that. By the way I think you sound more chinese piunky/wumao than singaporean
Lots of empty ghosts buildings with dumb casinos, it was once a beautiful city! Modernizing it isn’t an issue but making it a ChinaTown province for gambling and mafia has made this iconic province somewhat a lost cause. The Chinese people here are not the same as the Chinese who migrated to Cambodia hundreds and thousands of years before. Old Chinese escaped China due to its political issues and etc. these new Chinese settlers just want to trash the province and do illegal stuff. Lots of Cambodians complaint about trash on beaches and sewage because it’s not their country so they just dump stuff all over the place. Cambodian government doesn’t seem to care
Sihanoukville was built with dirty money from Chinese organized crime with the complicity of the Chinese government. Chinese triads are also present in Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos from Golden Triangle.
It’s a real shame what the Chinese have done with Cambodia in general. PP is full of horrible Chinese high rise developments that are purely money laundering
@@AbbyandGaz read your title. if you wanted to be objective you would write it in a neutral tone for example : "How good or bad is this place" not just "the worst place" also written in CAPS. but i think every reasonable person already knows this so quit asking me for explanations. you are really wasting my time.
I am Thai I will tell every foreign tourist. Please do not give money to beggars. Because the beggar is a foreigner. who escaped to the city and can speak Thai clearly The Immigration Police are looking to arrest them.
wtf are you talking about . Cambodia absolutley amazing country , friendliest people i ever seen , everybody is so kind and humble .Just avoid Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh . Siem Reap is so amazing
@@Habo.o Thailand was nice but completly ruined by tourist by now . Cambodia is so much better if you looking for real local expirence. Russians ruined Thailand
Thanks for watching guys ☺️ don’t forget to check out our whole series on Cambodia! th-cam.com/play/PLC6SbCuy0SDQJb8z9RMvyi3qikiMRzlWl.html
Behind the scenes on Instagram ☺️ instagram.com/abbyandgaz?igsh=emlxaGptdTFzeTg2&
100% with you guys on this one..! Just got back from there and the place is dead and way over priced..! Too many casinos and nothing special
Bcuz that's the land of Chinese out of the mainland.99 yrs.take over n rental for casinos and gambling or scaming bussiness there by Chinese mafias.the chinese investors expelled local ppl.out of their land.poor for them.😢😢😢😢😂😂😂
I'm on my way over there, last time was in 15 when it was merely a backpackers' haven and kinda down on its luck. Now want to see just what billions in Chinese yuan have done, don't expect too much, a lot of casinos but hoping maybe 1 of those beachfront hotels might offer reasonable lodging?
It used to be special. The Chinese ruined it.
I've certainly heard that from an acquaintance who lived there and he felt he got run out of there by Chinese and their $$...@@Kimbuja777
@@Kimbuja777 It was a charming, lovely beach vibe. The Chinese ruined it and shut the people out from even working in their casinos.
Thanks for this, we are planning our itinerary and had 2 nights here before our flight back to Siem Reap after Koh Rong. Will be reducing that to one night (as flight too early to get from Koh Rong that morning)
Glad you found it useful ☺️
Most of those buildings are less than 10 years. The Chinese invasion started about 2017.
A real paradise lost.
Yes it’s sad! I remember going there 10 years ago and it was very different
@@AbbyandGaz
So.....? They don't want tourism? Maybe it's not set up no one knows about it as a tourist destination..
Indeed it use to be a place of paradise that’s our King Norodom favorite chosing retreat location before the war(1975-1979) then China investment lost half of Sihanoukville gems retreat location nowadays 😢
went there 2011. I am sad, just sad now.
@@Gast1209
Thank you for promoting about Cambodia . That’s why this location hold a precious place and a precious memories before the modern Genocide occurs (1975-1979) for our King Norodom Sihanouk it became Sihanoukville.
I left this town back in late 1979 and the city was like a ghost town with a lot of old buildings were destroyed from the war. I've returned to visit my birthplace every year for the last ten years since my retirement from the US. Cambodia has come a long way since the prolonged civil war ended abruptly in 1998. There are always pros and cons no matter where we live. Most of my family members did not survive the atrocities there. Life is short to do the things we don't love doing. Be mindful. Be kind whenever possible. Take care and enjoy your trip from a genocide survivor. Peace out!
Thank you for this comment! Such wise words and an inspiration 🙏🏻
@@AbbyandGaz
That was a good comment
I’ll honor your word of wisdom big brethren . 💯 accurate. I’m also Kun Khmers grow up in America i left Cambodia at age 3 years old my beloved father recall the story or Sihanoukville was a treasure retreat island for the king Norodom because of its spectacular sceneries . It was a beautiful city but Pol Pol destroying Cambodia country 😢🇰🇭💔🙏
Thank you for your beautiful time visiting us, ❤ 🇰🇭
☺️❤️
just uploaded a video from sihanouk aswell, i experienced the same as you guys. Great Content!
Nice ☺️ thanks!
Interesting place - thanks for showcasing - no longer many tourists
Thanks Steve!
I came here after listening to the 'Search Engine' podcast episode 'Who's behind those scammy texts we've all been getting'. I had to see this place for my self. Seems like you guys dodged the right area. Terrifying 😮
Thanks for confirming my worst fears and huge disappointment about Sihanoukville.
Sadly this is how it is now 😥
In the olden days, the beaches were so beautiful with Bkue water and white sand ❤ now dirty rubbishes everywhere muddy colour water, I hope it will be better soon ❤❤❤
Awww it’s such a shame! So much potential for that place
@@AbbyandGazhii😊
I left see had Knoxville 11 years ago when the Chinese first started taking over and that’s when it went for a dive and I heard it’s also very expensive but my daughter was born there we’d like to revisit it so we’re looking for information on aFord ability
I’m Cambodian Khmers American, Sihanoukville before the darkest time of Genocides (1975-1979) wasn’t like that . Our King Norodom Sihanoukville was one if he’s favorite Spa or favorite retreat location as for its beautiful sceneries full of natural resources , beautiful sandy beaches, Seafood ,fresh water lakes , etc…But , Since the War that bombarded Cambodia and killed almost half Millions of its people and Sihanoukville will not be the same . The city of Sihanoukville was also known for our King Norodom Sihanouk chosing favorite location or favorite retreat place ,that’s why Cambodia named the city Sihanoukville. On the new modern day since China has invested almost half of the city of Sihanoukville it became like another ground breaking they brought Casinos investment , gamblings and other unusual activities that turn Sihanoukville into another level of dimension. And also our Khmers native that use to live in Sihanoukville are forces and receive threat to move out to another directions or another places because of the new infrastructre build by China investments ! it’s a very tragic and sad circumstances❤🙏🇰🇭😓.
Did you refer to Sihanouk, the killer?
I first went to Sihanoukville in early 2010, it's was so different then, a low rise backpacker paradise, there were hotels too, but none of the high rises and casinos. I went back again in late 2011 and early 2012 and I was largely the same.
In 2010 I spent about 5 days in Victory Hill, which was the most westerly part of the tourist area. I was drawn to Victory Hill by the Lonely Planet, which described it as an old hippy hangout.
Down the hill, the beach had a few small wooden restaurants close to the sea. It was so low key and chilled, a little paradise.
I explored Sihanoukville on one of the ubiquitous 125cc scooters, venturing east a few kilometres to Serendipity, which was larger and more lively than Victory Hill, but still very low key, the beaches lined with small restaurants / bars and comfortable cushioned seats where tourists and locals relaxed and swam in the clear waters of the sea.
A few kms further east was Otres, and area where there were no asphalt roads, just dirt/sandy tracks, where pretty much all the buildings either side of the track were wooden/bamboo. The sands were pure white and the sea crystal clear. I remember on my first trip, small cows eating grass on the edge of the beach, literally 5 metres from the sea. It was such a beautiful and relatively unspoilt area.
Sadly now, that's all changed, last time I was in Sihanoukville in 2018 there were dozens of casinos in operation, and other high rises buildings going up. You could see the unstoppable sea of change was in full swing, that change continued until recently and now most of Sihanoukville is totally unrecognisable.
I've never been anywhere that has changed so much, so rapidly, Sihanoukville's heart and soul has well and truly been crushed and concreted over by mass Chinese investment /development. So sad.
Why are you happy to see this city remain a backwater forever? What's wrong with development? Why can't the West come and build something for them instead of talking and whining about the Chinese?
@@Janovial development is inevitable, but the development in Sihanoukville is a mess.. Masses of unfinished buildings, main roads running very close and parallel to once beautiful peaceful beaches, casinos galore, many of which don't even allow Cambodians to enter them/work in them... This development has all been about the Chinese making lots and lots of money at the detriment to the majority of the locals
@@andrewgibbs7279 The bulk of the responsibility falls on the Cambodian government. You should know Cambodia is a 3rd world country. It doesn't have any economy prior and corruption is rife. The Chinese were definitely there to make money through vice mostly. It did help with the economy and brought development to the infrastructure. Then, came the bust.
@@Janovial yes I agree the Cambodian govt allowed the development to happen, the Chinese just took advantage of the situation...that still doesn't change the fact that it's changed beyond recognition and for the worse... I could be wrong, but I bet the vast majority of people would think the same and if they could go bsck up how Sihanoukville was 10 years ago they would.
passed through on the way to kampot from Koh rong, shitville as the people called it, provided a few nice abandoned tower climbs with wicked views. Shitville was a backpackers paradise before the Chinese investments and it was the place to go in Cambodia.
Oh I think I read about this but it’s illegal to climb isn’t it ☺️?
I used to live in Sihanoukville for 7 months!! Trust me it is dangerous there's a lot of kidnappings I witnessed a kidnapping at gun point a white van kidnapped a chinese guy they all had ski masks and guns and while I was leaving one of the casinos one Cambodian strong guy yelled at me to remove my baseball cap and I said okay and he pulled it off while tugging my hair and hit me then when I started to cry and called the manager he denied it and I threatened to call the police if they don't check the security cameras they did and found out he was lying the caisno did compensate me . There's a lot of scammers and scam sites it was such a difficult time 😢 the place you went to Yasmine bar is owned by a Turkish man who has been living in Sihanoukville for 10 years it was the only place with decent food and there's another one similar to it owned by a French guy called Le Barang steak house they have amazingly delicious food but overly price watch your video gave me anxiety and brought me back to all the bad things that happened to me 😢I just left 3 months ago
Aw I am so sorry to hear this! This must have been so tough for you 😔
China and invaders has brought back lots of Casinos investment and crimes and unusual activities into our country ,our native Khmers are forcibly to move away to another part of locations due to China and invaders infrastructure investments . Sihanoukville are know for its gems retreat for our King Sihanouk that’s the reason it’s called Sihanoukville. China are experts in crimes and scams they bring all these messes into Cambodia and blame the entire country we know our origin Cambodia are mostly kind hearts genuine people hardworking and don’t bother other countries but since China took half of its city Sihanoukville become a different versions that some people seen as they never seen what’s Sihanoukville look like before. China and some foreigners are chosen Cambodia for it’s kind of mess because our Govnment are blind by the lust of wealth from abroad and forget to enforced its punishments and stricted law as for crimes , scams and gamblings that affected all the beauty of the country.
@@AbbyandGaz Chinese mafia doesn't get talked about.
First! Oh Wow! They celebrate Christmas in Cambodia!
Haha i guess some people do but think it’s mostly for the tourists! ☺️
This City was destroyed by Chinese,what a shame
Lucky enough to go there in the early 2000s when it was a sleepy backpackers town,so sad to see what’s happened to the place.
Ah yes lucky you!
Haven't seen it yet, but I lived there from 2007 to 2015...it was great back then...now we're in Kampot
Yes it’s such a shame what has happened to it! I went when I was 18 (10 years ago) and it feels SO different now
I worked on Serendipity beach as an 18yo backpacker (10 years ago) 😂 CHAOS.
Was there 20 years ago, I'm sorry but but I don't recognise it now 😢, was magical back then, like going back in time, so sad seeing it now 😢.
I know it’s sad 😞
Omg 12 years ago I was in this town now I don’t recognize anything , I don’t think there were any casinos and I don’t.see any Chinese, the beach was amazing full of great bars , cheap food mainly backpackers great atmosphere in the evenings xx looking at your video I will not be returning xx thanks xx
I know it was the same for me 10 years ago! It’s a shame
thank you for visit cambodia❤❤❤❤❤❤
☺️❤️
❤❤❤❤❤
Oh wow.. I lived there 6 months in 2011 and how different it was.
They've concreted the beachside walk and all the little bars owned by locals and expats are gone!
Only the Chinese could suck the vibe out of little beach town so effectively.
The streets behind the beach had all local soups and such for $3-4.
I know it’s so sad 😞
I visited it in 2011 maybe we met :D But yeah it's sad to see what this place has become.
Jesus...thanks for taking one for the team! (under my breath I am saying Holy F!!!)
😂😂😂 I hope Cambodia can find a way to rebuild the area into a place people love
always go where youre not supposed to go!
Haha we are so curious 🧐
I was there in the early 90s. There was just a few old French colonial buildings with their faded opulence and a deserted beach. Paradise lost.
Sounds lovely!
Since those Chinese investors and developers abandoned all of their casino-building projects and left dozens of buildings unfinished, Sihanoukville has become a lost cause. And I wanted to retire there. 😢
Awww I’m sorry!
Funnily enough I enjoyed this video haha..
Hahah glad you did 😂😂
‘This place is an absolute dump.’ I’d dissagree. Come to the united states, there are worse places- heck even places in which people will hit you either purposely, or accidentally and drive off.
The main reason it’s partially closed/ghost city, is because of Covid.
Edit: I am hoping however, that sihonoukville gets back up and running, as it has lots of potential to become a heavy hitter relative to other Cambodian cities. It has a great local too.
Totally agree there are dumps in all countries but the unfinished buildings, rubbish all over the street and closed down tourist attractions make this much worse than anywhere else in Cambodia we visited. Covid killed the city but also the government allowing lots of Chinese investors to move in and then partially banning gambling was also a huge factor.
We hope too that the Cambodian government try to prioritise the recovery of this city ☺️☺️
Spooky 😮
I know 😂😂😂
Wow a few years ago it seem to be a hot place, pre covid..I had heard that the Chinese have came and messed it up. Oh well, things get better, some things get worst.
Sin city
Not the worst, but the most unfinished city.
For sure ☺️
OH MY GOD! Is that Sihanoukville? I was there in 2003, last time, and it sure looked a lot nicer back then. Horrible looking now.
Yeah it’s changed so much!
Many years back the beach was ugly. The Chinese poured new sand and cleaned the waters.
The comment about almost getting hit by a car even when it was the car's fault was what I experienced when I was in Cambodia. It seems like cars really do own the roads there.
😂😂 yes typical haha
Decent video but you guys could have do bit more research before coming here.
Amazing beaches just few kilometres away from the beach you stayed where more western tourist also stay.
Where you were used to be tourist spot before covid but as you saw, covid hit hard and many constructions and hotels had to close in the area.
Plenty of amazing western food places where dish is like $3-$5 or even cheaper if you are ok to eat local khmer food in other parts of city.
All the neighbourhoods in Sihanoukville safe even though you might read something else or they might look poor. All locals are amazing and friendly.
Also there are things to do:
- Bicycling (mountain or road cycling along the beach or on the mountains/hills outside of the city). There is bike lane that is 25km long along the beaches).
- Karting
- Golf
- Waterfalls
- Wild monkeys spotting/feeding at Indepence hotel's forrest
- Kayaking/SUP on the beach or at mangrove rivers
- Shopping (big mall and big duty free shopping center)
- Swimming and hanging out on the beach (you seemed to skip practically all the beaches, only checked one. which happen to be the worst, out of some 10 beaches the city has to offer)
...
-
Ok thanks so much. We did do quite a lot of research but all the top articles are very outdated and suggest things that are all shut!! Someone needs to write a new article with updated information ☺️
@@AbbyandGaz Fair enough. Someone definitely would need write updated information.
Na. It's a shithole.
The only good thing about about Sihanoukville nowadays is Koh Rong island. Sihanoukville is pretty horrible these days. Sad, because it used to be a great city back in the day. All along that beach there used to be bars buzzing full of young backpackers. Its ruined. Koh Rong should have been on your itinerary guys.
We have a video on Koh Rong and it was beautiful 😍😍
@@AbbyandGaz Oh good, I'll check that out. Just subbed to your channel 👍
I was in Koh Rong in 2011. I still remember the paradice beach which is called Long set beach. It was completely empty. Just a long, hot beach with a "lagoon" a true paradice, but now when I watch the aerial footage from google earth it's full of building and planted trees on the beach. I'm glad that I got to experience a true paradice before it became a tourist destination.
@@deslow7411 totally changed, lots of resorts there now. Beautiful island. The Philippines is probably the best place to see beaches like Koh Rong back in the day, but you will have to travel into the remote provinces.
@@kikiandjasmine Yeah and if money isn't an issue probably south pasific. Tonga is still fairly untravelled with a lot of empty islands.
lmao, nobody is happy. Landed in Thailand nobody is happy they say, too hot, too wet, went to Phuket, too many Russians, prices have gone up, off to see Sihanoukville, it's garbage everyone says Chinese wrecked it then pulled out. Hahah maybe I should just go back to LA, everyone hates that too. I'm having a good time. I don't mind if others don't like it, I've had fun seeing things and meeting some people. I never came for shagging and dope or the party scene, just a change of scene, and since I know nothing about SE Asia it has been just that.
The problem is you need to go there to catch the boat to Koh Rong. I'm in Sihanoukville for 1 night next week before going over to Koh Rong for 6 nights. My 30 day visa ends on the 21st.I was looking at flights to Krabi where I want to go to sort out my visa extension for Thailand. The flights out of the airport are well overpriced. I look at the same flight from Phnom Penh and over £140 cheaper so Im getting a bus back to Pnom Penh and stopping in an hotel right near to the airport for my flight out.
Ahhh what a nightmare! Hope you have a good trip though ☺️ would recommend going to that resturant for dinner though
@@AbbyandGaz Not really a nightmare, water of a ducks back to this 55 year old Englishman old fart lol. I'll check out that place to get some scran. I'm curious so spending a night there before heading across to Koh Rong.
i stayed there for two months eight years ago and it was party central, day and night. looks like a completely different place. Everyone i knew living there bugged out to kampot, when the chinese started buying everything up and developing.
Yes it’s sad isn’t it 😔
It's nearly ghost town.
It is 😞
COVID really destroyed the momentum of Cambodia. It will take them years to recover. SIHANOUKVILLE was one of the hottest cities in SE Asia seven years ago.
That is sad 😔
The beach is too shallow, you need to sit to get your shoulders wet and this before 9am afterwards it becomes piss temperature.
Until 2017, there were many bungalows along the beach that Cambodians came with families for a weekend or celebrate a marriage. I could rent for $6 per day with village atmosphere. All gone forever. The Chinese bought everything, schools ,hospitals, police stations included.
Ahh what a shame 😔
I didn't dare go there because it was expensive, there were a lot of thieves, and the city was deserted and a lot of trash was dirty
Yeah fair enough 😂 we wouldn’t recommend haha
Have you seen San Francisco and New York? Those 2 cities make that place look like heaven.
I’ve been to both! You get good and bad in every city I think ☺️
I can't imagine anywhere in Cambodia been full of woke morons like SF & NY is.
@@AbbyandGaz
I think the commenter...is right.
before or after the Chinese, beach is the only tourist attraction here
Yeah sadly it is
I've been living for about 3 years, this city is not worth visiting for tourists, the price of food is overprice, and maybe almost everything is very overprice here. it's good if you want to go to cambodia, I recommend going to siem reap. because the cost of living there is almost half the cost of living in sihanoukvile. thank you.
Thanks for the recommendations ☺️
Angkor wat is temple not city :D . But yeah Siem Reap is best by far
@@kaurhanson3859 thanks for the correction
I like Kampot better. There is nothing of interest for me in Sihanoukville.
Yes we loved kampot
It has nice beaches there that’s for sure. That city belongs to China , only the high ranking Cambodian people make money from it but not for normal Cambodian people. I would rather go to other Southeast Asia countries than Cambodia
❤❤❤🙏🏻🇰🇭☀️
❤️☺️🇰🇭
Yeah Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh are worst places in Cambodia . Sihanoukville is mostly chinese casino paradise and Phnom Penh are just big city and lot of bad people . Siem Reap is absolutley the best place in Cambodia .Everything nice and clean and lot of nice people .Kampot is really nice and Battambang is quite nice to visit also . If you love beach then Koh Rong Samloem is best.
These were our favorite places too ☺️☺️
Another victims of failed Chinese colonisation! similar to Forest City in Malaysia
Nothing to do in Sihanoukville, which probably explains so many men had to provide their own entertainment by walking around with both hands in their pockets!
Yer it's pretty bleak there we past though 3 days ago and I was pleasantly surprised at the about the amount of paved roads and lack of open swears relative to 4 year ago (we actually thought it seemed ok just heading to the port) but good to knew it's still the lameist) place in Asia after all
Yeah the pair area is lovely actually but sadly main area not so much
Went there in 2002. Nice chill place. Met quite a few western backpackers that started little business's like bars and restaurants for about $2000. Once was legendary like Lake View in PP but gone to crap because of the $0 Chinese tourists and shady businessmen. Hopefully all of SE Asia learns the lesson.
Such a shame that it’s been ruined! I actually came 10 years ago and it was a fun little destination but yes sadly ruined ☺️
🎉❤❤❤❤❤
☺️
Don't be mean to my country
We aren’t we love your country ☺️
this place now called china town😂
Badass .
👍🏻
Otres2 is great you should have gone there!!
Awww shame!!!
Yeah Otres is full local and some western tourists as well. Especially on holidays and weekends. Nice hotels and resorts too there.
I only remember 1 Otres beach, Was there a my month ago and from When I was there before 2017, it's all Changed Since.. All forist trees gone Promenade now. A lot off good accommodation near there is gone, Breath-fully Stayed at pipa papa resort but quickly escaped as think it ensemble a Japanese War Camp similar to bridge on the river kwai movie.
Do not expect that Cambodia to be similar to Thailand.
Thai people have had bad experiences from Cambodian people. During year 1336, King Jayavarman the 9th, one of a Thai king, was killed by Khmer (Cambodian) salves while he was sleeping. After that the Khmers ruled Angkor Wat so that the end of Angkor Wat civilization. At that time, however the Thais had many kingdoms. Only 13 years after King Jayavarman the 9th died, another Thai kingdom, Ayutthaya, send army to seize Angkor Wat. Since then, Cambodia had been a colony of Thailand for 500 years.
The original owner of Angkor Wat was an ancient Thai king which used Indian engineers and Cambodian salves to build it.
Some of Angkor's Kings were Khmer-Siamese. They are my ancestors from Northeast Thailand. I'm Khmer Surin people
Don't buy any properties there. It's all overpriced junk. I mean a tiny closet studio condo cost 60k 😂
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
☺️☺️
You do know that being non-Chinese you are paying a 500% markup don't you?
Im tourist already stay at sihanouk at least 2 years . Maybe if you guys wanna come here i can give you tips and cheap hotel etc 😊
An insiders tips is always good but we aren’t planning on coming back anytime soon but thanks for the offer ☺️
why the fck are you staying in Sihanoukville , Any city in cambodia is better.
Very bad situation here. Casino everywhere.
It’s not the best place in the world 😂
I am from Singapore. I first step into Sihanoukville in around 2015-2016. At that time Sihavoukville was a sleepy town, china investors have not arrived and so there were not so much tall buildings. In 2017, there were only a handful of casinos such as Holiday Palace, La Vogue, Sokha, Queenco, about 3 to 4 casinos around the Lion roundabout, and a few more which I forgot the names. In 2023, I went to Sihanoukville again and I saw many casinos operated by China people. Comparing 2017 and 2023, the roads have been resurfaced, looks better and slightly wider. At night, with all those casino lightings, Sihanoukville look stunning. In conclusion, I would say that Sihanoukville todays looks better then the past. Security wise, sihanoukville is safe but you need to inject some commonsense to protect yourself. Dont expose your jeweleries, money, beware of snatch thief, secure your rental motorcycle, always park your rental motorcycles in places that have security guards.
Too bad, Sihanoukville Square, around the lion roundabout, this place used to have many pubs, is closed. Its relocated into another area, far away from sihanoukville square, the road is bumpy towards this new place, sorry I forgot the name. For Pubs, then you need to go to Victory hill, there are only a handful of pubs. Elsewhere, pubs, ktvs are scattered all around. Theres also a short street nickname Blue Mountain, st number 805, not far from the central wet market, in it are freelancers sitting outside, waiting for customers to book them.
Looks better than the past? With murky green water, trash everywhere and abandoned buildings ? 2016 is past ? Not to mention the crime. If you had known the city in 2000s , 2010 then you could write something, you are not qualified for that. By the way I think you sound more chinese piunky/wumao than singaporean
Lots of empty ghosts buildings with dumb casinos, it was once a beautiful city! Modernizing it isn’t an issue but making it a ChinaTown province for gambling and mafia has made this iconic province somewhat a lost cause. The Chinese people here are not the same as the Chinese who migrated to Cambodia hundreds and thousands of years before. Old Chinese escaped China due to its political issues and etc. these new Chinese settlers just want to trash the province and do illegal stuff. Lots of Cambodians complaint about trash on beaches and sewage because it’s not their country so they just dump stuff all over the place. Cambodian government doesn’t seem to care
Awww it’s so sad! I hope someone listens soon!!
I dont know if Cambodia had a metropolis.. I thought the place is deserted because of the war in 90s
Sihanoukville was built with dirty money from Chinese organized crime with the complicity of the Chinese government. Chinese triads are also present in Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos from Golden Triangle.
It’s a real shame what the Chinese have done with Cambodia in general. PP is full of horrible Chinese high rise developments that are purely money laundering
Camboida it to small to accept china town or vietnam town in there.
It would be hard!
Kamen call we cambodian kamen😂
😂😂
Khok kham and khok chang thailand ok
☺️☺️☺️
Lots of scammer there
Have to be careful’
this place is garbage
It’s not the best
I refuse to watch this video because of the clickbait
How is it clickbate? We literally discuss whether this place is good or not? Clickbate means your title doesn’t match your video content ☺️
@@AbbyandGaz read your title. if you wanted to be objective you would write it in a neutral tone for example : "How good or bad is this place" not just "the worst place" also written in CAPS. but i think every reasonable person already knows this so quit asking me for explanations. you are really wasting my time.
@@Ace96ify Nothing wrong with the title , it is by far the worst city in Cambodia .
I am Thai
I will tell every foreign tourist.
Please do not give money to beggars.
Because the beggar is a foreigner. who escaped to the city and can speak Thai clearly
The Immigration Police are looking to arrest them.
1 Provinec of China.
They also own your country 😭
Yes, it is the Worst!!
Haha there are definitely better places!
Cambodia is the worst place on earth
Bit harsh 😂 there are some good parts!
If you have Cambodia derangement. Yes
Thailand is a place that has a culture or society marked by envy
wtf are you talking about . Cambodia absolutley amazing country , friendliest people i ever seen , everybody is so kind and humble .Just avoid Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh . Siem Reap is so amazing
@@Habo.o Thailand was nice but completly ruined by tourist by now . Cambodia is so much better if you looking for real local expirence. Russians ruined Thailand