Cambodia Sea Salt

Salt is an indispensable food product and important source of nutrition for humans. In Cambodia, salt production is highly depending on weather conditions. If the weather condition is good the yields are very favorable. In order to get the final salt product a stepwise production process is required that takes around 30 to 45 days including the addition of iodine substance before market distribution is possible.

Production: Kep-Kampot’s salt producing fields comprise 4,476 hectare. Yields are approximately 140,000 tons per year for good weather condition; however, too heavy rain can reduce the output to 13,000 tons per year (which causes a shortage of salt in the domestic market).
Producers: In total, 185 groups of salt producers exist in Kep and Kampot. Salt producing fields located along coastal line from Kep reach from Thmey village, Boeung Touk Commune, Kampot District to Loke village, Ruessy Sroke Commune, Kampong Trarch District, which is next to the Vietnamese border.
Market: Domestic market

Business Contact

Kep-Kamport Salt Producers Community: Sovan Sakor Village, Sangkat Kamport Kandal, Kampot, Tel: 033 932 345 / 012 899 885, Fax: 033 932 345

Marine Products

Kep Province is located at the coastline of Cambodia and produces besides fish sauce, sea salt and pepper other cash crops. Kep Province draws considerable attention of tourists due the short travel distance if compared to others coastal provinces. Crabs, prawn and sea fish which are available at Kep and Kampot’s coast are of highest importance as food products for tourists.

Kep: Cambodia's Seaside Secret

Kep was once the top beach destination in Cambodia. This now quiet beach town is near the border with Vietnam. It is easy to reach Kep from Phnom Penh. It is 5-6 hours from Cambodia’s capital, and a mere 45 minutes from Kampot. Kep is definitely scenic, but in a rugged way, compared to Sihanoukville, which is now Cambodia’s top seaside town. While Sihanoukville boasts endless stretches of sandy beaches, Kep has a short stretch of sand surrounded by mangrove forests and rocky coastal areas.
The best reason to visit Kep is its seafood. The road behind the beach is clogged with seafood vendors selling everything you can (and can’t) imagine. Crab is plentiful offshore, and is a local specialty. It is the paltry price of the exotic seafood that leaves many travelers with mouths agape. Of course, the freshness of everything adds to the delightful gastronomic experience.

Tonsay (Rabbit) Island is a few miles from Kep. This is the place to find a quiet setting and a couple of very nice white sand beaches. Many travelers come to Tonsay for the snorkeling.

Because of the slow, but steady resurgence of Cambodia’s economy, Kep is once again becoming a tourist destination. Several new buildings have been built, including the luxurious Knai Bang Chatt, the most plush and expensive hotel in Cambodia. There are plenty of cheaper guesthouses in and around town as well.

A somewhat interesting time can be had simply wandering the shoreline. Some of Cambodia’s elite, including the former king, built villas near Kep. However, because of the devastating effects of civil war, most of the places are now abandoned.

There are some hiking opportunities near town. Kep Mountain (as it is called by Kep’s tourism authority...it’s more of a hill) offers some nice views of the sea. It is possible to drive or motorcycle up the mountain as well. The king’s abandoned palace at the hilltop. The grounds are now inhabited by a trope of friendly monkeys.

If you want to do some work yourself, it is possible to hire a boat and do some fishing. Simply taking a trip along the coastline is also a nice way to spend an afternoon. There are numerous bays and inlets and the natural beauty of mangrove forests.

Kep is still not as nice a beach town as Sihanoukville, but the lack of a full blown tourist industry is refreshing. There is lots to explore and plenty to eat in town. While the tourist industry is picking up as of late, there is still a very laid back vibe to be found in Kep.


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Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)

Koh Tonsay is located about 4.5 Kilometers southwest of Kep. Tourists are drawn to the two beautiful white sand beaches. The sea here is shallow and has a long slope, making Koh Tonsay excellent for swimming. At the sea bottom area a variety of corals, sea animals and plants which attract researchers and ecologists.

The name Koh Tosay is derived from the word Rumsay3. While trying to avoid the commander’s troops, Prince Sakor Reach grew hopeless because his own troops began to tire. He led his remaining troops across the sea to an island in front of Kep city, where the troops spread out. Accordingly, the island was called Koh Rumsay, the Koh Ormsay or Koh Ornsay, and the Koh Tonsay, as it is known today.

Koh Tonsay is 2 square Kilometers. During then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk’s Sangku Reastr Niyum regime, it was used as a place to rehabilitate criminals, who were also used to defend the island. Horse cart paths and wooden, thatch roofed motels were also constructed during this time. Most of this infrastructure has been destroyed by weather and decades of war. Today, seven families live on the island. They earn their living by fishing and growing coconut trees.

Kep Beach

Kep Beach is a famous seaside resort with twelve months of sunshine, which is 1,000 metters long. The beach is diffrerent from the beach of Sihanouk Ville because it has black sand.

Visitors can see attractive Rocky Mountains and winding lanes toward the beach. A sightseeing tour of the city is very popular with them. Additionally, they can sunbath, swim, and picnic there.

From Kep, it takes 30 minutes to reach the nine other islands located on its opposite side by boat. Over there, one can enjoy splendid mountainous scenery and beautiful sea birds.