Russian Market is the most popular market among tourists and
expats and probably the best place to pick up souvenirs. It does not look like much from the outside
but when you get in you will find everything from beautifully hand carved
statues, colorful lanterns and handmade silk scarves to fake bags, printed T-shirts
and DVDs.
Russian market is located in the south part of Phnom Penh and is known
to the locals as Phsar Toul Tom Poung. The reason why it is called Russian
market is because it was a popular market among the Russian expats during the 1980s
when most of the western expats in Phnom
Penh were Russian.
It is a narrow and sometimes steamy market since most of the
stalls do not have Air-conditions or even a fan, but it is still worth the
visit and if you get tired you can always take a relaxing coffee at one of the
cafés around the market.
This market became the foreigner’s market during the 1980’s
when most of the foreigners in Cambodia
were Russians, hence the name ‘Russian Market.’ It is of far less architectural
interest than the Central Market but has a larger, more varied selection of
souvenirs, curios and silks. Like the Central Market, there are several
jewelers and gold-sellers, but it also carries huge selection of curios, silks
and carvings, it is one of the best markets in town to buy fabric.
