Best Shopping in Cambodia

What to buy in Cambodia?

Crammed with a few of amazing shopping markets, a tour of this unexplored gem of Southeast Asia lets one get some of the best souvenirs from Cambodia back home. With an exhaustive list of textiles, batiks, woven mats, silverwares, Cambodian silks, betel nut boxes, and more, here is a lot to indulge in for a shopaholic. Take a look at the below Cambodia shopping guide, and explore these places to buy items of your choice.  

Here are some of the places for shopping in Cambodia, to indulge in a bit of retail therapy.

1. Artisans d’Angkor, Siem Reap

On the premises of Les Chantiers Ecoles, this is a quaintly rustic shop which sells everything native to Angkor – from silk to wooden carvings to stone reproductions of Angkor temples and other famous structures. Artisans d’Angkor hire local artisans to create their items and thus contribute towards employment generation and betterment of standard of living. This place is where you pick up the best souvenirs from Cambodia to take home.

2. Psar Thmei, Phnom Penh

Psar Thmei is one of the grandest markets you will find in Cambodia. Shopping in Phnom Penh takes a whole new turn when one steps inside this giant, golden yellow, heavily decorated dome resembling a Babylonian Ziggurat. The shops are eclectic and vibrant, selling everything under the roof, literally. This landmark building of the capital is sometimes referred to as the Central Market, owing to its location and colossal size. This is the place for experiencing best shopping in Phnom Penh.

3. Angkor Night Market, Siem Reap

Angkor Night Market is the best place for shopping in Cambodia Siem Reap. In fact, visiting this market is an important activity in Cambodia’s Shopping as well. The market premise is packed with one after the other bamboo huts and shacks, selling handicrafts, art items, jewellery and accessories, silk scarves and shawls, home décor items – the list is endless. Many of these huts belong to local organizations or communities trying to preserve traditional Cambodian art and craft.

4. Russian Market, Phnom Penh

Every big city in south-east Asia has that one elaborate market selling the discounted versions of name-brand products. Russian Market is that place for Cambodia. While it is an unofficial secret that most of the items would not pass the test of originality and authenticity, it is that very reason why Russian Market is a crowd-favorite, both among locals as well as tourists. It is the cheapest and most convenient Phnom Penh markets for shopping. Along with the knock-offs at unbelievably low prices, one can also find genuine, locally-crafted items among the maze of shops.

5. AHA Trade Village

Angkor Handicrafts Association Trade Village is for preserving and promoting native art, using locally-sourced materials. There are not as many stalls here, but you can see with your own eyes the local artisans working on the various pieces of art. There is a certain sense of rusticity attached to this marketplace, and also the positive feeling of contributing to the local community.

There are many other shopping places to explore as well. Cambodia shopping malls like Lucky and Aeon Shopping Mall of Phnom Penh, to Psar Chaa – the old market and Made in Cambodia – the vibrant street market, the country has it all. A Cambodia shopping price guide will give a better idea of what would fit in your budget.