Top-listed Things To Buy In Cambodia 2023
Here are several small tips and guidelines to equip for a wondrous trip.
We hope that our recommendations will help you avoid undesirable scams and pick the most valuable products.
Come and explore Cambodia holiday packages and bring home these adorable souvenirs!
1. Weaving silk
Where to buy
The Made in Cambodia Market, Achar Sva Street, Krong Siem Reap: A handicraft fair on the ground of beautiful Shinta Mani Resort, which only opens on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Artisans D'angkor, Stung Thmey Street, Krong Siem Reap: A social enterprise that aims at reviving traditional Khmer craftsmanship and giving job opportunities to young people in rural areas.
Koh Dach Island, Phnom Penh, Cambodia: A silk island sells and produces thousands of silk items, where visitors can witness the exquisite and meticulous weaving processes.
Lotus Silk, Khann Daun Penh, Phnom Penh: A small boutique bursting with silk scarves, clothes, and accessories.
Tips
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Be wise at low-cost silk items because authentic silk is worth a much higher price. Unless you really like the color, pattern, and design, buy a $US 2 – 4 silk scarf without any expectation of high quality.
- Test the authenticity by asking the seller if you may burn a couple of strands. Real silk burns to soft powdery ash while anything from polyester will form a small hard bead.
- Be aware of the fakes imported from other countries. These replicas often masquerade as Cambodian silk of poor quality.
2. Silverware
Where to buy
Siem Reap Night Markets: Daily night markets are concentrated within the downtown area, which offers tons of affordable fair-trade handicrafts.
Angkor Night Market, Old Market and Made in Cambodia Market are highly recommended to take a visit.
Garden of Desire, the Passage Pub Street Alley, Krong Siem Reap: This store is a gallery of creative handcrafted silver jewelry designed in a contemporary style.
Angkor bullet Jewellery, Khan Chbar Ampov, Phnom Penh: A museum created by a group of vulnerable Cambodians displays distinctively fashionable jewelry made from recycled bomb casings left over from the war.
Tips
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Don't burn your fingers on precious jewels unless you are an expert or have a trusted knowledgeable source on this subject.
- Ask the silver dealer to demonstrate the purity of silver on a Touchstone, called Thma Som Ret. This simple test will instantly show any base metal “impurities” used to make an alloy of silver.
3. Sculpture works
Where to buy
Artisans Angkor at Chantiers-Ecoles, Stung Thmey Street, Krong Siem Reap: Plentiful stone, wood, and bronze carvings painting on statues and silk, and lacquering are waiting to decorate the favorite corner of your house.
Preah Netr Preah commune, on the road from Siem, Reap to Banteay
The stretch of Street 172 between Monivong Boulevard and Sothearos Boulevard in Phnom Penh
Tips
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Don’t accept the first price in local markets or stores. It’s better to negotiate to get a more worthwhile price.
- Do not bring any antiques out of Cambodia unless you can stand the harsh penalty.
4. Kampot Pepper
Where to buy
Local markets and shopping centers
The Kampot Pepper Shop, Old Market Street, Kampot: The shop owners have their own farm so don’t worry about the quality and the origin of pepper.
Tips
- Learn about diversified kinds of Kampot pepper and taste before deciding to purchase.
- Be alert to fake Kampot pepper. The best way is to go to the source and visit farms to buy fresh peppers and see how the Cambodian raise the best kind of pepper.
5. Krama
Where to buy
Any markets and shops throughout Cambodia: Krama varies in quality and price with the cheapest at about $US 1 in the markets.
Tips
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Don’t expect anything incredibly cheap. Cambodian handmade is much more skillful and sophisticated and worth higher pay.
- Try this simple method to test the genuineness of fabric. Ask the vendors if you may burn a couple of strands. Real silk burns to soft powdery ash while anything from polyester will form a small hard “bead”.
6. Eco-friendly handmade products
Where to buy
Senteurs d’Angkhor, Airport Road, Siem Reap: A social and ecological business that specializes in organic products which are paraben-free, silicon-free, and sulfate-free.
Kru Khmer Botanical, Old Market, Siem Reap: An organic shop & spa that uses natural Khmer herbs based on the traditional Cambodian medical approach.
Tips
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Learn about some eco-friendly ingredients that have been tested for safety. If a product contains the exceeding percent of prohibited substances, it must not be totally organic.
- Don’t buy anything smelling funny. The odd smells are often added by some fragrances that may cause reactions.
Sihanouk ville full day to the Island Tour
Sihanouk Ville walking around 1 Day