Victory beach is situated at the furthest north of the peninsula of Sihanoukville. It was the original backpacker beach and is still popular with budget travelers. At the northern end of the beach is located the deep sea port. Apart from white sand and blue sea, this beach offers a good spot to enjoy the sunset.
At the south end of Victory Beach is another small strand of sand called Lamherkey Beach. It is the place where a French/ Cambodian construction team laid groundwork for the construction of the new Port of Kampong Som during the 1950s. At this beach, you can hire a boat to nearby islands.
Imagine a cross between Pakbeng in Laos and Thailand’s Khao San Road with none of the good features of either and you’re well on the way to conjuring up a fair image of Weather Station Hill, which looks down over the far more attractive Victory Beach.
Once the most popular area to stay in Sihanoukville and still home to loads of budget, barang-oriented spots to stay and eat, Victory Hill, also called Weather Station Hill, has lost out to nearby Ochheuteal beach in the popularity stakes.
To start with, the latter has better amenities and a more comprehensive range of places to stay, but the beach is also far better there. Victory Hill still has more of a laid back, backpacker vibe than Ochheuteal, but in the evening is more known for the barely-concealed sex trade.
Most of the budget guesthouses and eateries are a 10-minute walk up the hill from the water. The area itself is a bit of a hole, with some really crappy places to stay squished between drab and largely depressing bars filled with freelance sex workers.
If you’re really set on staying in this part of Sihanoukville, go for one of the places on the slope down to the beach. Or better still, spend the extra and go stay on Ochheuteal.