Shopping in Cambodia: Where and What to Buy

As a country that takes its culture and traditions seriously, Cambodia has thousands of local artisans. If you are new to Cambodia and you want to take back some souvenirs as a mark of the days you spend in the country, you might not know where to go shopping in Cambodia and what to buy.

In this article we will take you through some of Cambodia’s most cherished shopping destinations.

1. Psar Thmei

Psar Thmei is one of the biggest markets in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Located right in the heart of the city, the market makes a great first impression.

Its dome-shaped structure is pretty massive and it houses numerous shops selling everything from local food to locally made apparel to locally crafted fashion accessories. If you are a shopper who wants everything under one roof, then this is a must-visit destination for Cambodia shopping.

• Where: Phnom Penh
• What to Buy: Antique coins, clothing, jewelry, watches

2. AHA Fair Trade Village

If you just want to shop for handicrafts in Cambodia, then there’s probably no place that’s better than this. Located in Cambodia’s second-biggest city Siem Reap, this market boasts of over 20 shops; all selling locally-crafted handicrafts. So if supporting the artisans of the country is what you are interested in, then this is the perfect place for shopping in Cambodia.

The market is best experienced during the bi-monthly Khmer Cultural Show. During these times when you go for shopping in Cambodia, the number of stalls shoots up, offering tourists more options and variety. The market sticks true to its name as well, with prices here being quite reasonable.

• Where: Siem Reap
• What to Buy: Handicrafts and souvenirs made by local artisans and craftsmen

3. Daughters of Cambodia

If you want your Cambodia shopping to support a very important cause, then you should head to this NGO that doubles up as a shop selling a variety of accessories, bags, and clothes.

Located in the capital Phnom Penh, this NGO gives away all that it earns from its products to local artisans and also to the people who have suffered in the past from prostitution and sex trafficking. The NGO doesn’t just forward its earnings to the sufferers; it also trains them through various programs to make them job-ready.

• Where: Phnom Penh
• What to Buy: Bags, accessories, and clothes

4. Phsar Chas or Old Market

Phsar Chas is probably the only market in Siem Reap where you will probably get anything that you could possibly want. It’s crowded and noisy, but that’s something you would expect when you come to one of the biggest markets in Cambodia’s second-biggest city, wouldn’t you?

The best thing about shopping in Cambodia in the Psar Chaa market is the fact that you can get great deals if you know how to bargain. However, be warned, most of the accessories you will find here are not really locally-made, even though the shopkeepers may try to convince you otherwise.

Most accessories in this market are originally made in China or Thailand. However, don’t let that discourage you, as many of the things that you would see in Psar Chaa look stunning and have that authentic South-East Asian look and feel.

• Where: Siem Reap
• What to Buy: Antique coins, clothing, notes, paintings, silk material, silverware, stone carvings, and woodworks

5. Russian Market

People who have done a lot of Cambodia shopping in the past are very quick to talk about Phnom Penh’s famous Russian Market. These shoppers claim that there is no place better than this to shop for clothes in Cambodia.

You might wonder how a market in Cambodia is called the ‘Russian Market’. However, the story goes something like this: a lot of Russian ex-pats shopped here on a regular basis back in the 1980s, hence the name.

What makes the Russian Market really special is the fact that you can find clothes from many world-famous brands here (Billabong, Columbia, Calvin Klein, Gap, etc.), along with locally made clothes and accessories. However, you will not have to pay even a fraction of the price you have to pay during Cambodia shopping from the same brands where you stay.

• Where: Phnom Penh
• What to Buy: Buddha statues, clothing, musical instruments, silver jewelry, wood carvings

6. Artisans Angkor

This shop is perhaps the best place to buy locally made handicrafts in Cambodia. Most of the handicrafts on sale here are wooden and to be frank, they have all been crafted to pure perfection.

There are numerous stone artifacts on offer as well. You can check them during Cambodia shopping. The wooden and stone statues and artifacts here perfectly capture the vibes of the art and culture of ancient Cambodia.

The shop contributes a percentage of the profits generated by the sales to a local artisan school, where children are taught art and crafts to keep traditions alive.

• Where: Siem Reap
• What to Buy: Home furnishings, stone, and wooden artifacts

So there you have it, six of the best places for you to do your shopping in Cambodia to satisfy the shopaholic in you!