Kep (Khmer: កែប) or Kep-sur-Mer in French is a municipality of Cambodia with the status of a province. It is subdivided into two khans, Kep and Damnak Chang'aeur. Kep, which is located just a few kilometers from Ha Tien, the border with Vietnam, used to be Cambodia's most popular and prestigious beach town but has fallen on hard times in recent years. From the early 1900s until the 1960s, Kep was a thriving resort town for the French and Cambodian elite.
During the Khmer Rouge years, much of Kep's French colonial era mansions and villas were destroyed. Many of Kep's villas are abandoned, but some of the town's former splendour is still apparent. The ocean is lined with wide sidewalks and large statues. King Sihanouk built a home overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, but it was never occupied and now sits empty. A good, paved road connects the town with Kampot.
Kep's beaches are mostly mangrove and black rock rather than the white sands of Sihanoukville. Several islands lie off the coast, Koh Thonsáy is just a short boat ride away. The town is well known for seafood - particularly the crab. In addition, Kep is home to an extensive national park.
