Responsible Shopping
Shopping in Siem Reap — make it count.
Siem Reap's markets and shops are full of beautiful things. But not everything you see is what it seems — a lot of the mass-produced souvenirs sold in tourist areas are made in factories, not by Cambodian hands. The good news is that with a little intention, your shopping can directly support local artisans, women's cooperatives, and social enterprises that are doing genuinely good work.
Our rule of thumb: look for the story behind the product. Who made it? Where? Does buying it support a family or a community? The shops and markets on this page all pass that test.
Before you go shopping, visit our Eco-shop here at Babel Guesthouse. Our vision with this shop is to make it easier for travelers who wish to reduce their traveling footprint to choose plastic-free alternatives. In our Eco-shop you´ll find various items perfect to bring on your travels. And the best thing is everything is Eco-friendly and locally made.
If you don’t have a tote bag or a backpack, purchase one in our shop. That way you don’t have to bring unnecessary plastic bags from your shopping back to Babel. Note - our tote bags are specially made to our shop by Friends N Stuff - creating jobs for locals.
If you don’t have a refillable water bottle, purchase one in our shop, and be part of our Refill NOT landfill campaign. You can fill this bottle up with water for free here at Babel and bring it with you. When it’s empty, simply fill it up at refill stations all over town. In fact, you can fill it up at Refill stations all over the country, and 5 other counties in South East Asia. Check out the map of Refill stations HERE!
Everything you find in this fair trade market is made in Cambodia. The main philosophy behind the Made in Cambodia Market is to help create Khmer jobs, from villagers producing the handicrafts to the sellers interacting with the visitors.
At the Made in Cambodia Market you can connect meaning to your purchases, as there is often someone there to tell you exactly where it came from and about the hands that crafted it. Located on the west side of the river. Open from noon everyday.
Made in Cambodia Market 3, Wat Bo (Reaj Bo)
Located just 200 meters from Babel Guesthouse, this is the third version of this charming community shopping village. Here, you’ll find a variety of locally made products — from jewelry and clothing to spices and wine — all proudly crafted here in the country. Every Saturday evening (weather permitting), you can watch a free live performance featuring traditional Apsara and Bokator dance, accompanied by traditional instruments. This market is open daily from 8:00 AM.
Satcha - Cambodian Handicraft Center
Located on BBU road, and only a 7-minute tuk-tuk ride from Babel. This unique handicraft center offers visitors the chance to witness traditional Cambodian craftsmanship up close, in a beautifully designed setting.
The idea is to support, train, and empower local artisans by giving them workshops, tools, exposure to contemporary design, and help with business skills. The handicraft center has six large workshops made from bamboo and local sustainable materials.
Open daily from 8:00 AM.
Khmer Ceramics
One of the most impressive craft destinations in Siem Reap. Khmer Ceramics revives ancient Cambodian pottery traditions that were nearly lost during the Khmer Rouge era.
You can watch the potters at work, take a class yourself, and browse a beautiful range of handmade pieces — from decorative bowls to intricate temple-inspired designs.
A genuinely special place and well worth a dedicated visit. A small cafe on site.
The Heartprint Hub
Not just a café — the Heartprint Hub also has a beautiful fair-trade shop selling handmade gifts, jewellery, and homewares made by local Cambodian women.
Everything is ethically produced and a purchase here directly supports the Heartprint community programmes. A lovely place to find something meaningful to bring home.
Very Berry
A little gem hidden in Psah Chas Alley 1, just a minute from the Old Market. Founded in 2012 by a passionate former travel agent who was disappointed by the mass-produced souvenirs filling local markets, Very Berry was built on a mission to find and promote true Cambodian craftsmanship.
The shop sells beautiful water hyacinth bags handwoven by women from Khnong Kneas village — one of Siem Reap's poorest communities, close to the Tonle Sap lake. The products are made in partnership with Friends International, giving these mothers a reliable income and a path forward.
Also look out for their upcycled bags made from recycled materials, krama scarves, and handmade jewellery.
Open daily from 10am to 7pm.
Artisans Angkor
A renowned Cambodian social enterprise operating since 1992. Everything sold here — silk scarves, lacquerware, stone carvings, silver jewellery — is made by hand by rural Cambodian artisans who receive fair wages and proper training.
One of the most reliable places in town for high-quality, authentically Cambodian gifts. Their main shop is near the Old Market, and their silk farm outside town is well worth a visit.
SATU - Concept Store
Located in the FCC (Foreign Correspondents Club) building right on the river — just a five minute walk from Babel Guesthouse — Satu is a curated concept shop selling thoughtfully designed products made in Cambodia. Clothing, accessories, homewares, and gifts. Everything locally produced and beautifully made.
Our personal favourites are their book collection. From children's stories and stunning photography books to Cambodian cookbooks and city guides — these make the most beautiful and meaningful souvenirs you can bring home from Siem Reap. The kind of gift people actually keep. Look out for the Haven cookbook — yes, the same Haven we recommend on our restaurant page — a gorgeous book of Cambodian recipes with a great story behind it.
And a little secret for parents: the FCC has a small air-conditioned playroom for children, so you can enjoy a well-earned drink in their beautiful garden overlooking the river while the kids are happily entertained. One of the best happy hour spots in town.
Open daily 9am–7pm. Sundays from 10am.
Camb-Aha
Our go-to recommendation whenever guests ask where to find quality Cambodian food products to take home.
Located on Khmer Pub Street, Camb-Aha stocks a wonderful selection of Kampot pepper, Kep salts, Cambodian tea and coffee, spices, honey, and many other locally and oganic food items.
Perfect for foodies and a great alternative to mass-produced airport souvenirs.
Sala Susu
A unique and beautiful craft shop facing the river at the Old Market, run by a Japanese social enterprise dedicated to zero-waste creativity.
Sala Susu creates delicate, everyday products from banana leaf and other natural materials — a lovely reimagining of traditional craft techniques that results in something genuinely special. Well worth seeking out.
Phare Circus Shop
If you have been to the Phare Circus show, you will want to visit the shop too.
Original artwork, prints, and handmade products by the young Cambodian artists and performers of Phare. Every purchase directly supports the organisation and the students it trains.
Peace Cafe Fair Trade Shop
Hidden inside Peace Cafe — a beautiful, fully vegetarian garden café that also hosts monk chats — is one of Siem Reap's most charming ethical shops.
Easy to miss if you don't know it's there, but well worth seeking out.
A calm, thoughtful space selling fair-trade products alongside one of the best vegetarian menus in town.
Blush
A long-standing ethical clothing boutique tucked into the alley by Pub Street.
Blush specialises in beautiful, lasting pieces — the kind you actually wear again when you get home. Sustainably made and locally produced. Worth a browse even if you are not planning to shop.
Garden of Desire Jewellery
Established in 2008, Garden of Desire is a gallery of jewellery designs — objects of desire, handcrafted by master artisans in silver and semi-precious stones. Contemporary creations inspired by nature, architecture, and Cambodian heritage, designed by Paris-trained founder Ly Pisith. Many of the stones are mined in northeast Cambodia — so what you take home is genuinely, completely Cambodian.
Tucked into Kandal Village — one of Siem Reap's most charming and overlooked streets, lined with ethical boutiques, independent galleries and relaxed cafés.
Nothing in Kandal Village opens before 10am and most places close by sunset — plan your visit accordingly for a relaxed afternoon browse. One of the most special souvenirs you can bring home from Siem Reap.