Siem Reap is one of Southeast Asia's best cities for souvenir shopping, with an enormous range of Cambodian-made goods at prices far below what you'd pay in Bangkok or Bali. The Old Market (Psah Chas) is the classic starting point — a bustling covered market packed with silk scarves, stone carvings, Apsara figurines, lacquerware, wooden masks, and hand-painted artwork. The Night Market on Sivatha Boulevard operates every evening and has a more curated selection of handmade goods, with many vendors selling directly from their workshops. For fair-trade and NGO-supported crafts, the shops along Pub Street and the Artisans Angkor chain (with a flagship near the Grand Hotel) offer certified Cambodian-made products at fixed prices. Krama (traditional Cambodian cotton scarves) are one of the best buys — sturdy, washable, useful, and deeply tied to Khmer culture — priced from $2–$8. Kampot pepper, Cambodia's famous black, red, and white peppercorns, makes an excellent foodie gift and costs around $4–$10 for a quality packet. Handmade bags from recycled cement sacks and repurposed materials are another distinctive Cambodian craft. Prices at tourist-facing stalls are negotiable; fixed-price shops offer more transparency.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best souvenirs to buy in Siem Reap?
Top picks include: krama (traditional Khmer cotton scarves, extremely versatile), Kampot pepper (Cambodia's famous peppercorns, great foodie gift), silk products (scarves, table runners), stone or wood carvings of Apsara dancers and Angkor motifs, lacquerware boxes and trays, handmade bags from recycled materials, and hand-painted art on canvas or silk. All are lightweight enough for luggage and authentically Cambodian.
Where is the best place to buy souvenirs in Siem Reap?
The Old Market (Psah Chas) has the widest selection and best prices but requires bargaining. The Night Market on Sivatha Boulevard is good for handmade crafts in a more pleasant atmosphere. Artisans Angkor (near the Grand Hotel d'Angkor) is the go-to for certified, ethically made Cambodian crafts at fixed prices. The Angkor Night Market near the old city has a good mix of quality and variety.
What is a krama and why should I buy one?
A krama is the traditional Cambodian cotton check scarf — an incredibly versatile piece of fabric used by Khmers as a headscarf, face covering, baby hammock, basket, towel, and more. They're handwoven from cotton, come in red and white or blue and white checks, and are one of the most authentic and practical souvenirs you can buy. Quality kramars cost $2–$8 at markets and $8–$20 for silk versions.
Is Kampot pepper worth buying as a souvenir?
Absolutely. Kampot pepper from Cambodia's Kampot province is considered among the world's finest peppercorns, with protected geographical indication status. Black, red, white, and green varieties are available. A 100g packet of quality Kampot pepper costs $5–$10 and is widely available at souvenir shops, markets, and the Night Market. It's compact, lightweight, and makes a genuinely excellent culinary gift.
How do I tell authentic Cambodian-made crafts from cheap imports?
Look for the 'Made in Cambodia' label or ask the vendor directly. Artisans Angkor and NGO-affiliated shops guarantee local production. At the market, items like stone carvings that feel very light (hollow or resin) and plastic-like Apsara statues are often imported from China. Genuine hand-carved sandstone or wood pieces are heavier and show natural variations. Handwoven textiles have slight irregularities — machine-made cloth is perfectly uniform.
Are there fair-trade souvenir options in Siem Reap?
Yes. Artisans Angkor is the most prominent — a social enterprise training disadvantaged Cambodians in traditional crafts. Their shops sell silk, stone, wood, and lacquer goods with full certification. Other fair-trade options include Rajana (jewelry and crafts), Samatoa (lotus silk products), and various NGO shops around town. These cost more than market stalls but ensure artisans are paid fairly.
What about Angkor Wat replica statues — are they allowed to be exported?
Small decorative replicas of Angkor Wat and other temple motifs are sold everywhere and are fine to export. What is illegal to export are genuine antique artifacts — original Khmer stone statues or ancient temple pieces. The replicas sold in shops are modern reproductions and do not require special permits. Always keep your shop receipt when traveling through customs.
What prices should I expect at souvenir stalls?
Magnets and small trinkets start at $1–$2. Postcards are typically 3–5 for $1. Krama scarves $2–$8. Silk scarves $8–$30 depending on size and quality. Small stone carvings $5–$20. Lacquerware boxes $8–$25. Wooden wall hangings $15–$50. Paintings on silk or canvas $20–$100+. Start by offering 50–60% of the asking price when bargaining and settle somewhere in between.
Can I find Cambodian spices and food products to take home?
Yes, beyond Kampot pepper, you can find Cambodian dried fish paste (prahok) in sealed jars, palm sugar, Cambodian coffee blends, rice wine, and local herbal teas. The Old Market has a food section where locals shop, which has better prices than tourist-facing stalls. Check airline regulations for sealed food products before purchasing if you're flying internationally.
Is silk genuinely Cambodian at most shops?
Not always. Genuine Cambodian silk is hand-woven on traditional looms and shows slight texture variations. Much of what's sold in markets is actually factory-produced Thai or Chinese silk, which is uniform and lower priced. Ask about the origin, look for hand-weaving marks, and buy silk from verified Cambodian producers like Artisans Angkor or Samatoa for guaranteed authenticity. Genuine Cambodian silk scarves start around $15–$30.
What souvenirs should I avoid buying in Siem Reap?
Avoid buying anything made from endangered animals or animal parts — this includes certain shells, turtle products, and wildlife items. These are illegal to export and ethically problematic. Also avoid 'antiques' sold at market stalls — genuine Khmer antiques cannot legally be exported, and most market 'antiques' are fakes anyway. Low-quality plastic souvenirs and mass-produced items labeled as 'handmade' are also common.