Cambodia isn’t the best place for shopping if what you’re looking for designer clothing and electronics- but if you like traditional handicrafts, then you can pick up some pretty exciting stuff in the capital, Phnom Penh. Look out, particularly, for some of Cambodia’s native arts and crafts- silverware (a tradition which dates back to the 11th century), brassware, textiles (silks and cottons, and the popular checked scarves known as `kramas’), readymade garments (sarongs and the like), woodcarvings, and masks crafted out of papier maché. The country also makes exquisite jewellery out of gold, silver and precious stones mined in the gem fields of Pailin; within Phnom Penh, the Central Market, le Bijouterie d’Etat, the Tuol Tom Market and the Old Market are good places to buy jewellery. The School of Fine Arts or L’école des Beaux-arts is worth a visit, particularly, if you’re interested in buying local art.

Bargaining is a common- and much accepted- practice in Cambodia, so haggle all you want to. Only make sure you don’t lose your temper- rudeness of any kind is frowned upon.