Russian Market, Phnom Penh

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Another shopping paradise - with definitely far more branded stuffs on sale for those with good bargaining skills and also be warned - this place is not for the claustophobic.
It is definitely narrow, you will get sweaty as you ploughed through the narrow lanes in search of your shopping buys.
Press on, you must and you will be duly rewarded with great shopping buys! We should know as we survive two shopping trips to the Russian Market!

We always ask the tuk-tuk drivers to alight us at the East Entrance of the Phsar as it makes it easier for us to get our bearings in this real hazy maze of a market! Why East Entrance, because as you walk in, you will encounter the only camping bags stall in the whole of Russian Market. That makes it easier to remember where you come from.

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The place to do souvenir shopping. A wide range of real and fake antiquities, wood curving, betel nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, jewelry cases, DVDs, CDs.

You can buy backpack at a good price provided you bargain. We got two backpack for the price of US15.00.

What to buy: The place to do souvenir shopping. A wide range of real and fake antiquities, wood curving, betel nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, jewelry cases, DVDs, CDs and backpacks.

What to pay: from US1.00 and above

There are a hundred and one stalls to shhop in here, and there are some pretty interesting stalls as well.. of course you can browse the fake brand name clothes stalls, and pirate cd and dvd shops, or if you like a bit of blood then the chicken stall where you can see the star of the nights menu meet his end... and it's not for the faint hearted.. with all stalls one can haggle the prices down..A hearty laugh and a firm price offer normal works.. if you ain't sure on the power of your haggling then watch the monty python film 'the life of brian' where you can see the art of street haggling in action.

What to buy: CD and DVDs

What to pay: not much

This market has been known by its English name since 1980s, probably because there were many Russians and Russian goods alike then at this covered market. Here you'll lots of tourist buying gifts and souvenirs. There is also a large section where you can try local dishes or buy a refreshment.

What to buy: There are clothes, shoes, silks (sampots) and handbags, woodcarvings, compact discs, antiques or pottery.

Unlike Bangkok, the clothes with brandnames are real ones here. They are manufactured in Cambodia, but due to some (mostly minor) mistake not good enough for export to the western countries. For a tiny amount of money you can get for example good quality Colombia zip-off pants.

Also backpacks are a good deal at this market!

What to pay: Don't buy anything without bargaining! Sometimes you can bargain more than 50% off.

Russian Market is probably the city's best source of objects d'art. Items for sale include wooden and stone carvings, various ritual objects, silverware, and old Indochinese notes and coins. There is a large range of antiquities and curios for those prepared to ferret around the various stalls and there are also gold and silversmiths inside the market who can be seen custom making jewelry. This too is a good source of both Cambodian and Chinese Silk and Clothes. This is one of the most popular markets in Phnom Penh with foreign residents and tourists who can spend many an interesting hour browsing before choosing the perfect gift. You could get clothes, t-shirt as well in here with a good resonable prices.

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This whole places offers many different things to see and buy. From clothes, bags and scarfs, to paintings and sculptures, one will be spoilt for choices.

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

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What to buy: (last date visited : Dec. 29, 2004)

souvenir items:

1. trouser - 10,000 riels
2. sleepers - 2 US $
3. scarf - 2,000 riels
4. battery - 1 US $