While some of the hotels have souvenir or gift shops, the city of Phnom Penh has much to offer avid shoppers. Among popular items for sale in Phnom Penh are silk and textiles, stone sculpture, woodcarvings, silver jewelry, antiques and brand-named clothing (Gap, Columbia, Calvin Klein, Quicksilver, Aigle, Next and others) made in garment factories around Cambodia and sold at about 90% discount. You should bargain in the markets to get a fair price but keep it a friendly exchange. Markets are generally open from about 6:30am to 5:30pm.
Below we have provided some helpful information about shopping in Phnom Penh, as well as some interesting shops to visit during you holiday. You can also view more information about shopping in general throughout Cambodia. After a busy and exhilarating shopping trip, why not kick back, relax, and enjoy a feast of authentic Cambodian cuisine at one of the many great Phnom Penh restaurants. Let us guide you through shopping in Phnom Penh!
Phnom Penh Shopping
Today there is more to shopping in Cambodia than the artefacts and souvenir items that you normally buy. Contemporary Cambodian artists are emerging with their unique art, which is definitely worth buying. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap also have great boutiques and galleries, which showcase the best in Southeast Asian art, art deco furniture, home décor, and fashion in Khmer silk. You can visit the boutiques on Street 240, the riverfront, Boeung Keng Kang 1 and Art Street to have a look at these emerging trends in Cambodia.
Handicrafts
There are quite a few stores in Phnom Penh selling handicrafts, silk, carvings, jewelry, leather bags, greeting cards and various other items whose proceeds go directly to assisting disadvantaged Cambodians including land mine and polio victims, the disabled and poor women. If you want to shop and also contribute to a good cause, some stores to try are NCDP Handicrafts and Wat Than Handicrafts on Norodom Blvd, Colours of Cambodia and Rajana.
Phnom Penh is a shopper’s delight when it comes to buying Cambodian silk, both as yards of material or crafted into dresses, sarongs, scarves and handicrafts. Cambodian silk is a prized possession if you love silk. The silk is hand spun after dyeing it by the traditional ‘ikat’ method.
Apart from silk, you can carry back the very popular hand pounded silver boxes shaped like animals, fruits and vegetables. These boxes were traditionally used to hold betel leaves and nuts, but can very well go as small gifts for your friends or as lovely artefacts to decorate your coffee table.
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap also offer a wide range of carvings in Buddhist, Hindu and Angkorian themes, and made in stone, brass and wood. Apart from all this, there is something that is unique to Cambodia and a must buy – ‘Krama,’ a checked scarf that is a traditional Khmer piece of clothing made both in cotton and silk.
Markets
One of the most popular markets, especially among tourists, is the "Russian Market" (Psar Tuol Tom Pong) where brand name western clothing can be found as well as most everything else. It is located at the corner of Street 440 and Street 163, just south of Mao Tse Tung Boulevard. The Central Market (Psar Thmei) is a large, clean market with a wide selection of products for sale which must be bargained for as prices are often inflated. Its yellow dome and art deco design is a local landmark and the goods on sale here are similar to those at the Russian Market, but it is also a place where locals shop for household items, clothing and electrical goods.
Gems
Pailin in western Cambodia is a source for gems such as sapphires and rubies which can be bought from the Central Market and the Russian Market. You should, however, have knowledge of gems and precious stones or buy it from a known place. Cambodia imposes control on export of stone carvings and antiques. So be careful of what you buy and do not opt for any shady dealings. Check out for handicraft shops that support non-government organisations that work for the under-privileged.
