In 2013, Cambodian artist and social advocate Oun Savann co-founded the Made in Cambodia Market (MCM) with a clear goal: to create an inclusive, community-driven space that uplifts local artisans while offering visitors a genuine cultural experience.
Located near Shinta Mani Angkor in Siem Reap, MCM is home to more than 20 stalls showcasing Cambodian-made products – from Kampot pepper and silk scarves to buffalo horn crafts. It also serves as a platform for Khmer entrepreneurs, artists, and NGOs to build sustainable livelihoods.
For Savann, a Battambang native and graduate of Phare Ponleu Selpak and Build Bright University, the market was a natural extension of his commitment to social impact. Savann brings to MCM not just artistic vision but a pride in Cambodia-made handicrafts.
“To be different from other markets, all products must be fully made in Cambodia,” he explains. “There should be no pushing tourists to buy, each stall must sell different products, fair pricing should be followed.”
We spoke to Oun Savann about how the market grew from monthly pop-ups into a daily destination, what makes a vendor a good fit, and how MCM continues to champion Cambodian craftsmanship and creativity.
Can you take us back to 2013—what sparked the idea to create a market exclusively for Cambodian-made products? What was the turning point that convinced you this should become a permanent, daily market?
I used to work with a man called Mr. Aebe Christian De Boer at Hotel de la Paix, as an assistant art curator. In 2013, Mr. Christian invited me to join his dream project: to create a street market in front of Shinta Mani Hotel, where he worked.
We invited many vendors from private businesses, NGOs, other artists, and craftsmen. From the first exhibition, there were art and craft, F&B, plus more entertainment. We created the event for the first time in 2013 as a once-a-month activity. In 2014, it was twice a month; in 2015, every weekend; and in 2016, four times per week.
That same year, we moved from Shinta Mani Hotel to a shopping village called King’s Road Angkor. King’s Road Angkor provided us with a ground floor house, outdoor garden, and street walk to set up the market.
That year, we started opening the market every day until 2021. (We closed from 2019 to 2021.) In 2022, we moved to the current market near our first place, Shinta Mani Hotel. In 2025, after growing, some vendors were interested in creating a new branch at a new place called Reaj Bo – Made in Cambodia Market.
You’ve partnered with a diverse group of artisans and designers—from SAY Seing to Sombai Liqueur. How do you select vendors, and what makes someone a good fit for MCM?
To be different from other markets, all products must be fully made in Cambodia. There should be no pushing tourists to buy, each stall must sell different products, fair pricing should be followed. Vendors should follow these rules, and learn about the values of MCM, among others:
- To create more Khmer jobs (producers, sellers, and MCM staff);
- To offer more unique Khmer handicrafts, including from NGOs not selling at other markets;
- Promote Khmer culture (sales greetings, presentation style, dress, Khmer shows); and
- No plastic packaging – we ban plastic bags, and all products are packed using recycled paper and canvas.
In what ways does the market support skills development and economic independence for participating vendors? Can you share any stories about specific vendors and how their participation has changed their lives for the better?
Some of the vendors started as sellers, artists, craftsmen, fashion designers, or product collectors. They mostly began with a tent, cart, or box stall.
The MCM market provided the place and rules. The vendors created their own concepts within those rules, communicated with buyers, and improved their skills by learning from buyer needs.
What do you hope tourists take away from their visit to MCM beyond the products they purchase?
Tourists always expect different things when they visit MCM. Some tourists thought it should be bigger than this; some thought it was a wonderful community handmade market.
They took not only the products – packed without plastic! – but also their favourite gifts, knowing they supported the right community and learned about the product processes and vendor stories.
MCM has hosted a range of cultural performances—from Phare Circus to Khmer musicians. Looking ahead, what kinds of performances or cultural collaborations would you like to bring to the market next?
We used to collaborate with many performance bands including Phare (the Cambodian Circus), expat bands, NGO bands, Bokator shows, young Khmer music, and Khmer traditional dance (dancers trained at the school; we allowed them to perform different shows every week). Usually, at hotels or restaurants, they perform up to six shows every day with the same programme.
After COVID-19, when the market moved to its current place, we didn’t have performances anymore. But in 2025, when Made in Cambodia Market 3 opens, we will start to bring back four shows every week. We expect to collaborate with other artists to show different live performances.
What’s your long-term vision for MCM? Do you see it growing beyond Siem Reap, or evolving into something new altogether?
The Made in Cambodia Market will expand to new provinces by collecting new products made locally in those areas. In Siem Reap, there are many markets, shopping villages, the airport, museums, and other community areas, so I think tourists have many shopping choices.
But wait! I still have another version to keep MCM sustainable forever for their families.
