Phnom Penh - Bag a bargain

Sorya Shopping Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Photo source: YourPhnomPenh

The buzz and mayhem of the city's covered markets are what makes Phnom Penh a mecca for shopaholics.

Phnom Penh has been for many years a shopper's paradise where bargains have to be fought over and, in the majority of cases, locally made means put together round the corner, but beware of imitations.

Psa Tmei, Phnom Penh - Photo source: Jotravelguide

The most dominant of the capital's market places is Psa Tmei, the Central Market. Prio to 1935 the area was swamp called Beng Decho, which was prone to flooding during the rainy season. The lake was drained and construction of what is now a market designed by Jean Desbois and engineered by Louis Chauchon began in 1935.

As a landmark in the Kingdom of Wonder it gradually became more and more scruffy over the years and the capital's city fathers welcomed and offer by the French Development Agency to return the site to its former, pristine glory. The work was pretty well finished in 2011 and the stallholders returned to continue flogging their fare - although the rental of their sites has gone up and their prices has risen accordingly.

Not that many people complain as they haggle over handi. After all, what would a trip to Cambodia be without a scarf or three in different colors and either lovingly made with pure silk or cotton? Souvenir T-shirts, too, are a must-buy from simple designs with the Khmer alphabet and flag to Tin-Tin and imagery of Angkor Wat. On the so-called craft stalls it's still possible to buy handcrafted pagodas, Buddhas and other souvenirs.

The central area is a wonder of design and engineer with a domed core and four wings radiating outwards. Under the cupola, watches, precious and semi-precious stones, gold and silver jewelry dominate accompanied by lines of stallholders selling clothing for Khmer tots, teens and twenty somethings to barangs looking for presents for themselves or loved ones. Its outside stalls have been transformed from rag-tag collection of haphazard areas specializing in everything from clothing to cooking utensils, electrical goods to fresh sea fish and crustaceans to a more ordered assemblage of product areas.

Rumors have been circulation for some time that the road around the market and several of the feeder streets to its core will in the future be pedestrianized. Earlier interviews suggested that many stallholders were going to move to the markets where the rent was less steep, though the market is still busy and recent enquiries have painted a very different and more encouraging picture.

A relatively recent addition to the capital's markets is a stone's throw from the Sorya Shopping Center and called, inevitably, the Golden Sorya Mall. Originally focused on shoes and clothing for the ever fashion-conscious Khmer youth, it has undergone a transformation over the last year or so, and the majority of the space is now given over to bars and restaurants, many of which are open until very late at night.

There have been few changes at the Russian Market since the movement of the many and scruffy outside stalls, except for the several merchants who have adorned their promise with fancy signage. Famous for its Aladdin's cave of bootleg software, CDs and DVDs, plus just about everything a budding yuppie would want to be seen with, it's steamy, clammy rabbit warren of colors and noise reminiscent of an Arabian souk. Its popularity, though, has enlivened the streets radiating off its four sides where bars, bistros and restaurants, ice-cream shops and snackeries have reached out to the mostly heat-exhausted shoppers.

Orussey is another reliable standby with a vast selection of dry bulk foods, fruit, vegetables, fish and cut flowers in addition to kramas, T-shirts, sneakers, underwear and household electronic goods. If you fancy getting sweaty while bagging yourself a bargain, then head straight for there.

Alternative markets include Psa Chas, which offers a wide range of fruit, and Olympic, a predominantly wholesale market which has among other items wholesale fabrics of all hues and designs by the mile. Boeung Keng Kang market, at the southern end of Street 57 where it intersects with Street 380, has a wide range of second hand clothes at cheap prices, with T-shirts available for just a dollar or less.

Aeon Mall is the latest entrant to the market and brings with it a whole new shopping experience in the form of an international-standard shopping mall.

Phnom Penh - Shopping for the soul

Daughters of Cambodia Visitor Centre (Phnom Penh) - Photo Source: TripAdvisor

Phnom Penh has many wonderful not for profit organizations whose programs are funded or partially funded by stores selling their products.

Whether you're hunting for gifts for your family or a memento of your time spent here, there are a few special places it might pay to check out.

On Street 13 is Friend's 'n' Stuff, a funky little store specializing bags, clothing, jewelry and accessories. All the products in-store are made by local families who come from a variety of difficult circumstances. Their creations feature bold colors and quirky designs, and are often crafted using recycled materials. Every purchase you make helps to secure a future for the children of these families.

A little further along Street 13 you'll find the Artisans d'Angkor Boutique showroom. Artisans d'Angkor is a social enterprise founded in the hope of providing training and employment to rural Cambodians. It now employs over 1300 people, and over 900 of these are artisans. The Phnom Penh boutique store showcases beautiful gifts, decorations, artworks and garments crafted by talented Cambodian artisans from around the country.

A few steps from the Russian Market, on the corner of streets 450 and 155, is the Rajana Association store. Rajana's mission is to reignite the creative spark doused by the Khmer Rouge regime. This Cambodian-run not-for-profit organization provides training and employment opportunities for local people, pairing traditional skills with contemporary design. With unique jewelry pieces, bags and other accessories, fellas might struggle to drag their partners away from this one.

On street 178 is Daughters of Cambodia's boutique store and visitor center. Stocking a variety of interesting and attractive products including jewelry, scarves and bags, children's toys, men's products, T-shirts, and home decor items, you're sure to find something with your name on it. All the products in-store are handcrafted by young women and men who have overcome their former lives as victims of trafficking in Cambodia's sex industry.

Take a short stroll down the riverside from the Night Market and you'll find the Tonlé, on the corner of Street 110 and Sisowath Quay. And ethical fashion label based right here in Phnom Penh, Tonlé is all about paying workers fair wages, with decent benefits, while using ethically and environmentally friendly sourced material so you can feel good about looking great. With everything from youthful prints to sophisticated dresses and funking accessories, you'd be forgiven for splurging a little here.

On the corner of Streets 51 and 360 is the Tabitha store. This store features a gorgeous range of beautiful, handcrafted silk products. From bedding, to tablecloths, to bags and shawls, all crafted from the finest Cambodian silk. These products are all designed and produced locally by Cambodian artisans through Tabitha's program. Through this project, participants learn valuable skill including craftsmanship and management of personal finances.

Across the road from the Toul Sleng Museum on Street 133 is Cambodian Creations. This social enterprise aims to generate income for at-risk Cambodian workers in an ethical, fair-trade environment. The proceeds generated by this initiative provide the workers with dependable, meaningful employment that allows them to make plans and lay the groundwork for a brighter future. They stock a fabulous range of jewelry, handicrafts and knitted toys, sourced from number socially responsible producers across Cambodia. Word to the wise, their knitted elephants are truly adorable; if you've got a kids or younger siblings in your life, you'll definitely struggle to leave without buying one to send home.

Have a wander down Street 144, near Kandal Market, and you'll come across the Made store. The ethos of this transformative project is all about providing sustainable, viable employment as a way to aid healing, restoration, and reintegration for survivors of sex trafficking or sexual exploitations, Everything in-store is carefully handmade to the highest quality in their employment center just outside of Phnom Penh. Made provides these survivors with financial security, training and most importantly, a life of stability away from the world they've left behind. Featuring a variety of cool, casual apparel, bags, wallets and other accessories, Made is well worth a visit.

Source: PocketGuideCambodia

Phnom Penh - All about originals

International clothing brand, H&M in Phnom Penh - Photo: TheCambodiaherald.com

You can always fake it, but with so many authentic retailers, why not invest in some top quality products?

Phnom Penh's reputation as a place to shop is developing quickly. As well as homegrown retailers, big brands from countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, France and America are landing in the city by the bucketload. So check out our guide to international shopping and read the benefits of the exchange rate.

Head straight from Sihanouk Boulevard - tipped to become the city's answer to Oxford Street in London or Singapore's Orchid Road.

Much loved Spanish brand mango is a must for lovers of fashion (44 Sihanouk Boulevard). Prices are a little more reasonable than its other Asian stores, but you may still need to bring the plastic.

Axara of Paris, housed in a renovated colonial-style villa, transports you into a world of club music, mirrors and bright lighting. The store is stocked with small and medium standard European, UK and US sizes, with international price tags to match. You'll find a range of suit most climates from winter to beach wear, as well as a range of shoes and accessories.

The motto of VNC (31C Sihanouk Boulevard) is that little things make a big difference. Bringing current season bags, purses and shoes imported from Malaysia at affordable prices, the emphasis here is on combining fun and fashion and the classy white decor and sofas make trying on a treat.

Pedro (13 Sihanouk Boulevard) is another well-known Singaporean retailer, selling smart classical shoes, handbags, belts, wallets and ties with fashionable twists. And the last buy by no means least, don't miss out on authentic trendy Parisian brands at Le Marais found in the new Aeon Mall.

If you forgot to pack enough shoes, you'll find a range of comfortable footwear for men, women and kids at Bata Shoes (also at 84 St 143) and internationally-renowned shoe brand Sketchers (46 Sohanouk Blvd) close to Independence Monument.

The authorised Adidas outlet store (Sihanouk Blvd) offers a very wide variety of products, ranging from the casual running shoe to the performance soccer shoes. You can find many lifestyle products that are of high branded quality and alway authentic.

City Mart, on the fourth floor of Sorya Shopping Center, on St 63 north of St 154, syocks a range of genuine name-brand clothing and accessories including Caterpillar footwear, as well as assorted sportswear from major international brands such as Nike.

True Brands (Mao Tse Tung Blvd) stocks high-quality international sports & lifestyle brands, all guaranteed originals, and have a wide range of premium products at the best possible price.

Puma (Sihanouk Blvd) is a well known German multinational company with three major product categories - athletic footwear, clothing, and accessories. They have a great range of original products for all sports enthusiasts!

Also, AEON Mall opened its doors in June 2014. Offering a new life style to the people of the region, the large-scale shopping mall is the first of its kind in Cambodia and boasts several stories of stores, restaurants and entertainment.

If it's electronics you're after, the Canon shop on Sihanouk Boulevard is a multi-storied multimedia delight. Nokia has a retail outlet just down the road close to authorised Apple resellers ione, who can also be found in Canadia Tower (St 110) and at Sovanna Mall.

Fake watches are available in every market in the city, but if you want something that might last more than a few days, better to pay more for the real deal. Genuine watches can be snapped up at the Swatch store (37 Russian Federation Boulevard), while Rado, Omega and Seiko products are waiting for you at boutiques at the Cambodiana Hotel (Sisowath Qual) and the official Longines store is at 171, St 130.

Nagaworld (Samdach Hun Sen) stocks the super exclusive Mont Blanc, Rolex, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Piaget watches through and official distributor at Nagaworld, where a Cartier outlet has also recently opened.

To make sure you'll be looking good in your holiday photos, authenticated Revlon products are available at the Revlon Shop in Sorya Shopping Center and Sydney shopping center. So shop around and you will be sure to find the real deal out there somewhere!


Source: PocketguideCambodia

Phnom Penh - Retail therapy

Russian Market, Phnom Penh - Photo Source: Yourphnompenh

Whether you fancy bagging yourself a bargain at the market, trawling through the city's boutiques or just browsing the Cambodian capital 's other specialist outlets, shopaholics will have a ball in this city.

Phnom Penh offers a wealth of shopping options for a retail therapy fix, with plentiful bargains to be had. The city's markets are good places to start, with Central Market, the Russian Market and the Night Market, open Friday to Sunday evenings, being the most popular. Kampot pepper, bamboo place settings, silk purses and silver boxes are popular choices but here you'll find pretty much everything your heart could desire. And no shopping spree would be complete without a krama or 10 - the traditional Cambodian check scarves.

A hunt around the markets will uncover branded clothes, often copies or factory seconds, at budget prices. Look out for Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M and Calvin Klein at prices as low as one-tenth of the recommended retail price back home.

For a calmer, cooler and much less chaotic retail experience, the city's malls are excellent places to browse. Sorya Shopping Center (St 63), Sovanna Shopping Center (St 271), Paragon Mall (St 214) and the City Mall at the Olympic Stadium offer a variety of shops and boutiques spread across several floors. Each level is themed with beauty and fashion, shoes and handbags, electronics and toys. From frilly party dresses and diamante tops to phones and sportswear, you're sure to find something you can't live without.

Aeon Mall opened in mid-2014 and has raised the bar as the country's first international standard mall. Located on Sothearos Boulevard to the north of Sofitel Phokeethra Hotel, it is home to myriad international fashion brands, cafes, restaurants, food halls, 4D cinema and a bowling alley.

You shop until you drop, then why not take a break and review your purchases in one of the many fast food outlets, ice cream parlors and coffee shops that can be found inside the malls. Branded sport shoes of dubious origin are available for $12-$20 in the mall markets, while ladies' heels can be snapped up for about $4. Cobblers can make footwear to measure that will be read in 5-10 days. Beautiful Shoes on St 143 has a good following.

Phnom Penh also boasts an array of independent boutiques with beautiful clothes in western sizes and made in Cambodia. Look for formal outfits in silk - perfect for wedding or parties - or classy cotton and linen separates for chic, everyday wear. Many places offer a fitting service to ensure your new look is perfect. Start on St 240 (the stretch immediately to the east of Norodom Blvd), which has several independent outlets clustered together.

Hummingbird (St 19, near St 172) has a fantastic range of quality boutique fashions including their own originals range, dresses for all occasions, casual day-wear perfect for tourists and travelers, and a beautiful range of jewelry and accessories, all showcased in a laid back urban boutique setting with a pretty cool playlist in the background.

Along Sihanouk Blvd you'll find Axara, Mango and Pedro, as well as WExport, which sells discounted branded goods made in Cambodia. Silver and gold jewelry, gemstones and impossibly cheap watches bearing famous brand names can be found in the markets and shopping centers. Be appropriately suspect about their origin, but if you're happy with the price they make lovely gifts. Jewelry shops offer original and stylishly designed accessories alongside gems and commissioned pieces.

If you're after quality vintage style or second hand clothes, but also accessories such as real leather handbags and silk scarves, the quirky Lost 'N' Found Vintage Store on Street 63 is the best place to be. Its popularity with expats is always a good sign.

Once you've adorned yourself, how about some interior decoration? St 178 is an excellent place to start with a row of art shops selling various paintings. Cross over Norodom and you'll find Starling Farm's shop where you can buy a range of the famous Kampot pepper.

Products such as recycled crafts, handmade pepper and greetings cards, bag and silk products are made by disabled or disadvantaged people. A great example is Phalycraft, offering a range of beautiful products made from the finest Cambodian silk.

KTOP in Sorya Mall is also a good place to do electronics shopping; with mobile phones, laptops and related accessories. And Made on Street 144 is another great place to bag a bargain. Here you will find a collection of clothing and accessories, made by survivors of human trafficking, are sold.

Source: PocketguideCambodia