Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the Kingdom of Cambodia’s independence. This morning, King Norodom Sihamoni presided over the national celebration at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh. Senate President Hun Sen, National Assembly President Khuon Sudary, Prime Minister Hun Manet and other leaders attended.
Seventy-three years ago today, on 9 November 1953, Cambodia ended nearly 90 years of French colonial rule under the leadership of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk. Revered as the “Father of National Independence”, he also gave Preah Sihanouk province its name. For local residents, this day therefore carries a special emotional significance.
The struggle then was for political sovereignty. Today, independence also depends on whether the economy can stand on its own, industries are stable, people’s jobs are secure and the province can withstand external risks.
A few years ago, Sihanoukville’s economy relied heavily on gambling and online gambling. Its streets were bustling and buildings were rising, but public security problems were serious and few industries offered a foundation for long-term development.
In 2019, the government resolved to halt online gambling. Although many people worried at the time that Sihanoukville would fall quiet, it now appears that this was a necessary step in the economy’s transformation.
New changes have gradually emerged in Sihanoukville in recent years. The Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone now hosts 217 enterprises, providing jobs for about 35,000 local people. Some factories have begun producing automotive parts and new energy equipment.
At the port, Sihanoukville Autonomous Port handled 1.347 million TEUs of containers in 2025, an increase of more than 30% year on year. Since the Phnom Penh–Sihanoukville Expressway opened, the journey between the two cities has fallen to under two hours.
Tourism is also recovering. In 2025, Preah Sihanouk province received about 415,000 foreign tourist visits, up approximately 30% year on year.
Looking ahead, the government plans to develop Preah Sihanouk province into a “model multipurpose special economic zone”, with a focus on logistics, tourism and quality industrial investment from 2025 to 2030.
The transformation still faces many challenges. Tackling grey-area industries, improving the business environment, strengthening beach management and upgrading tourism services are all essential. The province is currently improving more than seven kilometres of coastline in preparation for the peak tourist season.
Seventy-three years ago, earlier generations won sovereignty and dignity for Cambodia. Today, Preah Sihanouk province must rely on its port, factories, tourism and more legitimate jobs to make economic self-reliance a reality, step by step.
Commemorating Independence Day in this way is also the finest tribute to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
