Joanna James
Buying souvenirs for others is a difficult task as you want them to be meaningful and thoughtful instead of being a random gift. The selection available in Cambodia is amazing. Check out these suggestions so you can bring back some awesome gifts for loved ones back home.
Espadrilles in Cambodia are a popular buy among tourists, especially those that are handmade and ethically sourced from upcycled, tailored fabrics. They even come in krama, Cambodia's famous garment, used for chequered scarves, bandanas, and face covers. They come with a natural sole and are long-lasting, stylish and comfy. These can be bought for men, women, and children.
Cambodia's exclusive artisanal brand of chocolate, WAT was established in 2019, making it the first bean-to-bar chocolate in Cambodia! The team behind the product ethically sources their cacao beans from the northern regions in Mondulkiri Province and produces their chocolate bars in Siem Reap. The blend includes 70% cacao, as well as Cambodian specialities like Kampot salt and red chilli. These chocolates make for a perfect gift for die-hard chocolate connoisseurs. Don't forget to get your hands on these chocolates during your holiday at a property such as Anantara Angkor Resort.
Hand-woven bags in Cambodia are chic and eco-friendly and made from rattan palm (pdau) and willow grass (la paek). Most artisans are local small-scale enterprises of rural women, and these bags provide them with income and a career. Foundations like MANAVA were founded in 2016 outside of Siem Reap; such organisations empower these skilled workers via training and product development. Such purchases help the Cambodian economy and its people in a meaningful manner. These products can be found in retail stores in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh and online through the official MANAVA website.
A modern variation on the classic Cambodian krama can be found at 'Weavers', which includes pure cotton scarves that are hand woven on vertical looms using age-old methods. As a Fairtrade organisation, 'Weavers' provides employment and employment prospects to ladies living in the rural and impoverished Takeo region. All products are available at their store in Takeo and available online on their official website. However, enough krama scarves can be found in most cities across Cambodia and Siem Reap. Things to do will be many here, but don't leave without scoping out some of the best hand-loomed scarves for you and your family back home.
With abundant palm trees around Cambodia, Cambodian Palm Sugar is a great gift for lovers of all sweet things. Palm sugar, which is unrefined, contains some beneficial vitamins and minerals and quite a few other health benefits. It works well for cooking and baking due to its caramelly taste and is ideal for sweetening your morning cup of tea or coffee. Go to the "Kampong Speu" region, where this technique is perfected and made in its pure unadulterated form.
Cambodian Coffee is very popular in the region! Mondulkiri and Ratanakiri are among the most popular types and deliver unique and robust flavours. A popular brand is "The Three Corner Coffee", packed and endorsed by the "White Lotus Organisation", which is a social initiative to support Cambodian productions.
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