Cambodia captivates visitors with the magnificent Angkor Wat temple complex, French colonial architecture, and pristine tropical beaches. From the bustling capital of Phnom Penh to the serene countryside, Cambodia offers an unforgettable blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Cambodian Silk Scarves
Hand-woven silk scarves from the famous Koh Dach (Silk Island) looms near Phnom Penh. The intricate patterns reflect centuries of Khmer weaving traditions passed down through generations.
Price: $10-40
Where: Artisans Angkor, Central Market Phnom Penh, Koh Dach village
Apsara Dancer Carvings
Stone and wood carvings depicting the celestial Apsara dancers found on Angkor Wat's walls. Quality pieces are made by trained Khmer artisans using traditional techniques.
Price: $5-50
Where: Artisans Angkor, Siem Reap Night Market, Angkor Wat souvenir shops
Kampot Pepper
World-renowned Kampot pepper — both black, red, and white varieties — grown in Cambodia's Kampot province and prized by chefs globally. Comes packaged in airtight containers ideal for travel.
Price: $5-20
Where: Kampot pepper farms, Central Market Phnom Penh, Sentosa Market
Khmer Lacquerware Boxes
Traditional lacquerware items featuring black and gold Khmer motifs, crafted using a 30-step process dating back to the Angkor era. Jewelry boxes and decorative trays are popular.
Price: $8-60
Where: Artisans Angkor shops, Russian Market Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Old Market
Krama Scarf
The iconic checkered Cambodian cotton krama is worn as a scarf, towel, and baby carrier by Khmer people. Available in traditional red-and-white as well as colorful modern variants.
Price: $2-10
Where: Old Market (Psar Chas) Siem Reap, Central Market Phnom Penh, street vendors
Silver Jewelry
Handcrafted silver bracelets, rings, and necklaces featuring Khmer motifs such as lotus flowers, Naga serpents, and Apsara figures. Made by local silversmiths in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.
Price: $8-80
Where: Russian Market Phnom Penh, Central Market, Siem Reap boutiques
Phare Circus Artwork
Prints and original paintings by artists trained at Phare Ponleu Selpak arts school in Battambang. These pieces support disadvantaged Cambodian youth and reflect modern Khmer artistic expression.
Price: $15-200
Where: Phare Circus shop Siem Reap, Battambang arts school gallery
Cambodian Coffee
Robusta coffee grown in the highlands of Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri provinces, available as whole beans or ground. Often sweetened with condensed milk in traditional Cambodian style.
Price: $5-15
Where: Brown Coffee shops, Lucky Supermarkets, Phnom Penh specialty stores
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Psar Chas (Old Market)
The most popular market in Siem Reap for tourists and locals alike. Offers a wide range of souvenirs, silks, spices, fresh produce, and street food under one roof.
Where: Central Siem Reap, near Pub Street
Hours: 6AM-6PM daily
Psar Thmei (Central Market)
Phnom Penh's iconic Art Deco market built in 1937, featuring a grand yellow dome. Four wings house gold jewelry, textiles, electronics, and fresh produce.
Where: Phnom Penh city center, near National Museum
Hours: 6AM-5PM daily
Phsar Tuol Tom Poung (Russian Market)
Phnom Penh's best market for factory-surplus garments, silk, lacquerware, and antiques. Beloved by expatriates and savvy tourists for its great prices and authentic atmosphere.
Where: Tuol Tom Poung neighborhood, Phnom Penh
Hours: 7AM-5PM daily
Angkor Night Market
A large covered market with hundreds of stalls selling handicrafts, clothing, and artwork in a pleasant outdoor setting. Includes street food, massage services, and live music.
Where: Sivatha Street, Siem Reap
Hours: 5PM-12AM daily
Psar Nat (Central Market Battambang)
Battambang's main market blending French colonial architecture with Cambodian market culture. Excellent place for local food, textiles, and meeting non-tourist Cambodia.
Where: Battambang town center
Hours: 5AM-6PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Pub Street & Night Market Area
Siem Reap's main tourist zone lined with souvenir shops, boutiques, and the Angkor Night Market. The area is pedestrianized in the evenings making for pleasant browsing with food and entertainment nearby.
Best for: Souvenirs, artwork, and casual shopping
BKK1 & Riverside
Phnom Penh's trendiest neighborhood featuring designer boutiques, galleries, and gourmet food shops. Home to expat-run artisan stores selling high-quality Cambodian goods at fair-trade prices.
Best for: Quality crafts, fashion, and specialty foods
Street 240 Corridor
Known as the boutique street of Phnom Penh, Street 240 features independent fashion designers, silk boutiques, and gift shops in restored French colonial shophouses.
Best for: Silk clothing, contemporary Khmer fashion, and unique gifts
Artisans Angkor
A government-supported network of shops selling premium quality handmade Cambodian crafts. Artisans are trained and fairly paid, making every purchase a form of community support.
Best for: Quality silks, lacquerware, silver, and stone carvings
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Aeon Mall Phnom Penh
Cambodia's largest Japanese-style shopping mall in Phnom Penh featuring international brands, a large supermarket, food court, cinema, and entertainment facilities. Air-conditioned and modern.
Hours: 9AM-10PM daily
Aeon Mall 2 Phnom Penh
The second Aeon Mall in Phnom Penh located in the Tonle Bassac area. Features fashion brands, dining options, a supermarket, and a rooftop entertainment area with views over the city.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
NagaWorld Complex
Phnom Penh's entertainment and retail complex near the Mekong riverfront featuring hotel, casino, restaurants, and shops. The retail section includes duty-free stores and souvenir shops.
Hours: 24 hours
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
At markets like Russian Market and Old Market, prices are not fixed — starting at 50-60% of the asking price is common for handicrafts
Always smile and remain friendly during bargaining — aggressive haggling is considered rude in Cambodian culture
Compare prices between multiple stalls before committing to buy a high-value item like silk
Buying multiple items from one vendor often yields a better overall discount than negotiating each item separately
Artisans Angkor and social enterprise shops have fixed prices, but quality and ethical standards are guaranteed
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques, historical artifacts, and Buddha images cannot be exported — purchases require certificates of authenticity and export permits. Angkor artifacts are strictly prohibited from export.
Tax Refund: No formal VAT refund system for tourists in Cambodia. Prices quoted are generally final at markets; receipts are available from formal shops.
Duty Free: Travelers can bring in 200 cigarettes, 1 liter of spirits, and reasonable quantities of perfume duty-free into Cambodia. Check your home country's import limits before purchasing.
Shipping: International shipping available from Phnom Penh post office and DHL offices. Many boutique shops in BKK1 and Artisans Angkor can arrange international shipping for larger purchases.