Luang Prabang
This shop sister to the TAEC museum is a safe way to buy the finest handicrafts made in Laos – be it clothes, bags or bed runners – in the knowledge they…
Must-see shopping in Southeast Asia
Little India & Kampong Glam
This is the traditional textile district, where you’ll find brightly coloured fabrics and hand-knotted Persian rugs, as well as jewellery, cane wares and…
Siem Reap
Sra May is a social enterprise that uses traditional local materials such as palm leaves to create boxes and artworks. It also specialises in handwoven…
Kuala Lumpur
Pavilion KL has expanded into this connected property with even more big brand consumer labels – find here branches of chains such as Cos and the…
Kuala Terengganu
Located about 4.5km south of town, this outlet sells high-quality kain songket costing as much as RM12,000 for 2.5 sq metres. There’s also a tiny 'Songket…
Kuching
As well as her own Bidayuh bead-work pieces – most of which have been displayed in an exhibition in Singapore – Juliana sells quality rattan mats made by…
Ho Chi Minh City
Beautifully crafted garments (mostly for women) in silk, linen and wool. Bold prints and geometric patterns are joined by stylised elements taken from…
Manila
This funky shop specialises in hand-spun textiles and accessories produced by indigenous groups across the Philippines. It also sells fair-trade organic…
Ko Samui
This bustling fresh, local market backs onto the sandy coast where the fisherman haul the fresh catch you see before you. The local market of mainly…
George Town
Tan Wei Min creates lush and beautiful terrariums in everything from small glass jars to giant globes. Buying one is like taking home a piece of the…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Providing the connection between the monorail and the main station at KL Sentral is this shiny, multilevel mall. Among many shops there's a branch of…
Bandar Seri Begawan
A wallet-friendly spot for those looking to buy genuine local crafts, this place combines a craft market with some cheapo food stalls. Head upstairs for…
Bangkok
This three-storey antique shop, appropriately located in an antique shophouse, has everything necessary to deck out your fantasy colonial-era mansion…
Melaka City
Vibrant watercolours of sunsets, street scenes and temples fill this lovely art gallery spanning the entire length of a shophouse along with its inner…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
All the pros (and wannabes) shop at the extensively stocked Cathay Photo, filled to the brim with cameras, lenses and filters. Across the hall a second…
Banglamphu
No time to make it to northern Thailand? No problem. At this shop you can get the type of colourful, hill-tribe-inspired clothes, cloth items and other…
Vientiane
This state-run bookshop, with its faded titles in Russian and Vietnamese, is a lingering reminder of Laos' communist roots in an increasingly slick…
Yogyakarta
A cheap and cheerful place to browse for souvenirs, including ready-made clothes from machine-produced batik, leatherwork, batik bags, topeng (wooden…
Hanoi
Pheva sells decidedly moreish artisanal dark and white chocolate produced from organic and free-trade cacao and stylishly wrapped. There's a tantalising…
Baguio
Started by Bontoc weaver Narda Capuyan, this flagship store carries a broad selection of high-quality, locally made items, from traditional barong to bags…
Sihanoukville
Run by a local NGO that works with at-risk children, this shop within Sandan restaurant sells good-quality bags, scarves, T-shirts and children's clothes…
Siem Reap
Located next to the Angkor National Museum, this is a flagship DFS duty-free shop that stocks everything from Paul Smith to Prada. It is extremely popular…
Yangon
The showroom of this international NGO, dedicated to fighting poverty and AIDS, has products made from locally woven cotton in myriad colours, including…
Miri
With several clothes shops and a useful supermarket in the basement, this is a good place to stock up on supplies before a trek. Linked by a skybridge and…
Yangon
Aiming to empower a new generation of artists, this gallery and art library promotes local contemporary art in a variety of forms including sculpture,…
Ubon Ratchathani
Specialising in locally themed cotton goods, this cute little shop sells fun and funky shirts, pillows, soft toys, postcards, picture frames and assorted…
Samar
This isolated roadside community centre (around 6km north of ABCD Beach) has an adjoining store which sells local produce such as honey and pickles, as…
North Maluku
Bustling waterfront Jatiland Mall is not going to give Jakarta or Surabaya any mall envy. But you can find cafes with wi-fi, fast-food outlets and a basic…
East Bali
Sidemen is a centre for culture and arts, particularly endek cloth (vibrantly patterned weft ikat) and songket (silver- or gold-threaded cloth). Here,…
Baguio
Easter Weaving Room makes genuine Igorot weavings and traditional garments, as well as contemporary menswear and womenswear. Also sells everything from…
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia's largest IT mall offers eight floors of electronic goods and services. Head to the top-floor shops for repairs.
The Cordillera
A covered market with fruits, vegies, grains and all manner of foods for sale. If severed pigs' heads aren't your thing, steer clear of the meat section,…
Ubud
Yet another enterprise started by local entrepreneur Janet DeNeefe, this shop sells its own brand of cotton bedlinen, cushion covers and napery, as well…
George Town
Pick up one of Howard Tan's distinctive photographic prints at this compact gift boutique that also sells unique postcards, art, handicrafts and books on…
Ubud
The scent of Utama's Balinese-made natural skincare products wafts out into the street, luring shoppers inside to investigate the pricey but nice…
Siem Reap
Established by French-Cambodian fashion designer Sirivan Chak Dumas, this shop has an elegant collection of women's and men's clothing in light linens and…
Chiang Mai
Part of a development project for rural communities in Chiang Rai Province, this very chic emporium is full of handmade scarves, tablecloths, clothing and…
Kuala Terengganu
Batik and local brassware can be purchased at this shop where you can also view artisans at work. Check with the tourist information office before heading…
Bangkok
You'll smell this place long before you get to its main entrance – in fact, you'll almost be drawn in by the fragrance exuding from the store. The brand's…
Melaka City
Anchored by upmarket Singaporean department store Tangs, this mall is a pleasant spot for a browse of around 100 shops and restaurants over four floors as…
