What to Shop for in Cambodia When Visiting Cambodia 2024/2025?

Cambodia’s unique and rich local culture makes it a paradise for souvenir shopping. Traditional Khmer art and crafts in textiles, weaving, silversmithing, and stone carving trace their history back to the 9th century.

These traditions live, on creating many opportunities to take something back with you as a reminder of the wonderful things you will see there or as thoughtful gifts for friends and family back home. Here’s a guide on what to shop for in Cambodia for 2024/2025.

(Must-Shop): Cambodian Silk Products, Top List of Souvenirs to Buy in Cambodia

Khmer silk, beautifully designed and hand-woven, is one of the most popular souvenirs sold all over the country. With traditional weaving techniques and the hand-dyeing process, it can take weeks for local artisans to finish a single piece of silk.

You can watch the entire process of silk production in places like Artisans Angkor’s Silk Farm outside Siem Reap or at the historic silk center of Koh Dach outside Phnom Peng. Here are some types of silk products that you can choose to purchase:

● Silk scarves and clothing such as blouses, dresses, and shirts are made in vibrant colors with intricate designs.
● Silk textiles for home décor items like wall hangings and pillow covers can add a splash of color to any home.
● Vintage silks that have been well-preserved are valued for their authenticity and rarity, but new silks from local artisans are often made with the same traditional techniques.

Traditional silk scarves can be found for as low as 5 USD. Larger silk shawls or higher quality scarves can cost between 50-100 USD.

Cambodian silk products.

(Must-Shop): Krama – Cambodian Traditional Scarf in Varying Colors, Patterns and Qualities

Krama scarves are a traditional accessory that is ubiquitous in Cambodian daily life. The scarves are made with traditional patterns in a wide range of colors. Most common are checkered designs in the national colors of blue, white, or red.

Popular not just for their appearance, Krama scarves are also highly versatile. They are worn as headscarves, neck scarves, and sometimes used as belts. People wear them for clothing, sun protection, and an expression of personal identity.

Krama are something you can buy to use during your Cambodia trip while outdoors exploring cultural sites and then take home as a reminder of your experiences there. It can be found everywhere in Cambodia, with the cheapest starting from 1-2 USD.

4 Days to Explore Cambodia’s Cultural Heart: Siem Reap

Siem Reap

(Must-Shop): Sculpture Reproductions, from Large Statues to Small Ones

After seeing Angkor Wat and bas-reliefs carved into ancient temples in Cambodia, you’ll know the impressive skills of local sculptors. Sculpture and carving have a long history in Cambodia. Today there are many skilled artisans making sculpture reproductions in a wide range of sizes.

Stone sculptures made with the same locally mined stone used to build ancient temples are not only beautifully decorative pieces for any home but, as souvenirs, also represent a tangible connection to Cambodia’s rich, ancient history.

The sculptures feature subjects such as Buddha figures and heads, Aspara Ladies, animals, and mythical creatures like the Garuda and Naha. They can be found made out of bronze, wood, and stone. The prices can be found in the 50-200 USD range.

Cambodian Sculpture Reproductions.

(Must-Shop): Silverware & Silver Jewelry, like the Plates or Some Ornaments

Khmer silversmithing dates back to as early as the 11th century. Originally produced for the royal palace and upper-class families, it has developed into a larger industry with many silver shops located in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The exquisite designs are a beautiful expression of craftsmanship and a great way to add some flair to an outfit for anyone with the budget for jewelry.

Handcrafted silver plates, jewelry, trinkets, and ornate boxes are widely available, often with semi-precious stones worked into the design. The intricate pieces are usually made with an alloy containing 70-80% silver, and prices are based on weight and artistry.

Delicate silver pendants can start around 10 USD, larger and more elaborate necklaces or bracelets with inset semi-precious stones can cost up to 100 USD or more.

Silverware & silver jewelry in Cambodia.

(Must-Shop): Handmade Paintings, Capturing Local Landscapes, History and Buddhism

Beautiful handmade paintings featuring unique scenes of local landscapes are a great souvenir for remembering the sights of Cambodia.

In local Cambodian markets, paintings of Angkor Wat are commonly available, often done in oil paint or watercolors. High-quality original paintings can be found in local galleries.

Traditional style paintings often show scenes of rural daily life. Artists express the deep spirituality of the country with depictions of Buddha or scenes from Reamker, an epic poem and the national epic of Cambodia.

In places like the Old Market in Siem Reap or Central Market in Phnom Penh, you can buy original paintings from local artists for 10-150 USD.

Cambodian Angkor Wat handmade paintings.

(Must-Shop): Kampot Pepper, Known as Some of the Best Pepper in the World

Kampot pepper is considered some of the best pepper in the world. Sought after for its unique flavor and high quality, it is named after the Kampot province in Cambodia, where it has been cultivated for centuries.

It comes in black, white, red, and green varieties, grown with sustainable and environmentally friendly traditional cultivation methods. It can be used in all types of dishes, even in some desserts. Kampot pepper makes an excellent gift for any foodies back home, costing around 10-15 USD.

6 Days Best of Cambodia Tour Package

Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

(Must-Shop): Palm Sugar - Palm Tree Considered as Cambodia’s Symbolic Image

Cambodian palm sugar is a natural sweetener made from the sap of palm trees. Palm trees are present everywhere in Cambodia and are the country’s national tree. It has a unique flavor with a rich, caramel-like taste and lists the top of what to shop for in Cambodia.

Perfect for health-conscious people interested in a healthy alternative to traditional sugar, palm sugar has the added benefit of some nutrients from the palm sap, including vitamins and minerals such as potassium, iron, and zinc.

Palm sugar can be purchased in granulated or powdered form and is also available in solid blocks that can be shaved or grated into pieces. A 170g gift bag of palm sugar costs around 5 USD.

Cambodian palm sugar.

(Must-Shop): Handmade Organic Skincare Products with Herbs and Plants

Cambodia’s rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge of natural ingredients make it an excellent place to purchase handmade, organic skin care products. Made from plant-based ingredients and free of synthetic additives, they are perfect for people with sensitive skin.

Organic skincare products can also be found packaged in environmentally friendly materials like bamboo or coconut shells for eco-friendly souvenirs.

● Herbal soaps and scrubs are often made with local ingredients like lemongrass, jasmine, or turmeric.
● Essential oils for aromatherapy are derived from herbs and plants such as kaffir lime, citronella, and jasmine.
● Organic balms and salves use ingredients known for their soothing properties, such as beeswax and coconut oil combined with locally sourced herbs.

What’s more, natural lip balms and soaps can be found for 5-10 USD, and more luxurious treatment sets with a full range of skincare products can cost 50-100 USD.

Herbal soaps- organic skin care products.

(Optional): Support the Local Communities with Buying the Recycled Handbags

The talent and creativity of local artisans are on full display in the innovative recycled and upcycled handbags sold in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Many great recycled handbags can be found for 7-25 USD.

Cambodia is a poor country, but local communities work together to create these unique and sustainable souvenirs. Materials such as rice bags, tire tubes, fish feed bags, and plastic waste are ingeniously repurposed into attractive, high-quality handbags.

Many of the final designs are one-of-a-kind and an excellent way for you to help support local artists and protect the environment!

Purchase the creative recycled handbags in Cambodia.

(Optional): Bamboo Products with Beautifully Handcrafted Bamboo Creations

Bamboo is abundant in Cambodia. The fast-growing plant makes for a sustainable and durable material that can be used for a wide range of creations.

Handcrafted bamboo products are still favored by many Cambodian people for everything from chopsticks to sofas. Small bamboo items like keychains or chopsticks can cost as little as 2-3 USD. Here are some types of the Bamboo Products:

● Bamboo kitchen and homeware are common in many households and prized for aesthetics and practicality. Decorative bowls and lampshades are great items to add flair of nature to your home.
● Utensils such as spoons, forks, and chopsticks, and kitchenware like cutting boards and steamers are functional and made to show off the natural grain in the bamboo. Great reminders of the natural beauty of Cambodia.
● Bamboo keychains or coasters engraved with local motifs make for small, attractive souvenirs to take back home. Larger items like bamboo lanterns, baskets, or even flutes are a more impressive display of local craftsmanship while still being light enough not to put you over your baggage limit.

Cambodian Bamboo Products.

(Optional): Cambodian Coffee to Support Local Farmers

Cambodia grows both Arabica and Robusta varieties of coffee beans that have been gaining recognition worldwide as a unique specialty coffee. It is often sold as single-origin coffee to preserve the flavor profile of specific regions in the country. The coffee beans are usually roasted dark from coffee roasters who are very secretive about their unique roasting methods.

Agricultural communities are an essential backbone of Cambodia, and by buying local coffee, you can support not just the farmers but the communities around them. Brands like Angkor Coffee purchase beans from small, family-owned coffee farms in Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondulkiri.

There is a strong focus on sustainable and ethical practices within the local coffee industry. Look for environmental and fair trade certification when choosing which one to buy. Prices for a kilogram of local coffee range between 4-10 USD.

Cambodian Coffee.

Some Shopping Tips in Cambodia

● Popular markets and places for souvenirs in Phnom Penh are Lucky Supermarket, Night Market, Olympic Market, and Russian Market. In Siem Reap, try the Angkor Night Market, Khmer Ceramic Center, Angkor Gallery, and Angkor Market.
● Always bargain when shopping at markets or buying on the street. Keep things friendly, but you don’t have to accept the first price you’re told.
● It is strictly prohibited to bring genuine antiques out of Cambodia. Penalties can be harsh.
● Carefully check everything before you buy for its quality and craftsmanship.
● Ask for receipts whenever possible in case you need to make a customs declaration.
● Be mindful of what can realistically fit in your luggage.

7 Days Cambodia Mysteries Discovery Tour with Beach Relaxing

Siem Reap - Koh Rong Island

Conclusion

Cambodia’s rich traditions in arts and crafts, from silk weaving to sculpture, create many opportunities for satisfying what to shop for in Cambodia. Bring home a beautiful and meaningful reminder of your trip!

Welcome to Cambodia! We believe that you can't wait to go home with all kinds of souvenirs here. The prices are very reasonable, and you can also be confident in supporting local artisans and communities! Come and book your Cambodia traveling with IndochinaTour!