Brunei’s main entertainment is in its shopping. There are some fantastic shopping options here and many first-time visitors cannot believe the elegance and all-out wealth of the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. It has many amazing shopping malls and department stores and all sorts of products are available for sale.
There are many high-end stores with fancy, speciality textiles and imported goods, as well as a slew of traditional markets and boutiques. Prices are competitive and there are good deals to be had in electronics, furniture, and handicrafts. Bandar Seri Begawan is the main shopping base.
Best bets: Silverware and bronze ware tend to be the best buys in Brunei and the local artisans are adept at creating quality items for a good price. Popular buys include bracelets, jugs, gongs, and napkin rings. Hand-woven baskets are also good value, along with gold and silver threaded material known as jona sarat.
Best places: Bandar Seri Begawan has the best shopping by a long way. It is one of wide boulevards and smart buildings and has the flashiest malls, along with the bustling night market, Tamu. Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex is the biggest shopping mall in the capital; a stunning building with many upmarket stores.
Also in Bandar is Yaohan department store, which is good for just about everything and especially for imported clothes, books, and electronics. Downstairs is a natty food store with imported goods. The Mall in nearby Gadong is also very popular in the capital, while Seria and Kuala Belait, farther afield, also have shopping options.
Scams and things to avoid: Brunei is one of the most honest countries there is and the scamming here is small fry compared to what goes on elsewhere in Asia. The only places to really look out for rip-offs are in the night bazaars, although it would be foolhardy to part with serious cash in that situation in any case.
Antiques: Buying supposed antiques at a market is not a good idea as you have every chance of being duped. One of the best places for genuine antiques is the huge Home Centre at Mile 9 on Jalan Tutong. It is best for furniture and lighting but also has antiques and the right paperwork to export them.
Clothing: Brunei is a good place to pick up clothing, specifically copied designer gear, such as Diesel jeans, Camel pants, and the like. Standard clothes can be had in the Parvati and Veena’s department stores, which are good for all sorts as well as specials like Islamic scarves (tudongs). For high-end fabrics, try Nazmi Trading or the Silk Shoppe Boutique, which have fabulous imported fabrics and local silks.
Electronics: Like Singapore, electronic consumables in Brunei are of excellent value. Although you’re not going be wanting to take home a TV, MP3 players and projectors are great buys. Most large department stores in Bandar Seri Begawan, Seria, and Kuala Belait have electronics sections, including Jaya Hypermart and Hua Ho.
Gems and jewelry: Stick to the large malls and department stores for gems and jewelry. The markets have a good supply but not everything is as it seems. There is one or two exceptional stores in the capital that trade in high-end gold and diamond items.
Furniture: You can pick up carved wood or stone furniture in Brunei for a good price as labor is cheap here with no compromise on quality. Stores like Ethnics Collection and Knic Knacks have smaller ethnic carvings and ornaments, or you could go whole hog with a Da Vinci Collection leather sofa. There is a vast array of these top stores in the capital and cheaper items in the night market.
Handicrafts: The Tamu market in Bandar Seri Begawan is a good bet for picking up cheap handicrafts on a Friday. One stall in particular (near the Chinese temple) has a decent range of Bruneian antiques, although most are in the market for baskets and ornaments. Quality, original handicrafts are best had in the city’s malls.
Textiles: A popular specialty textile of Brunei is jong sarat. It is a gold-threaded material (sometimes silver) that is handmade into a woven cloth. The effort that goes into making this stuff is immense and the quality is assured at the manufacturers and main stores. Best prices are available at the outlets, although buying from the airport or the Arts and Handicraft Training Centre at Kota Batu is a lot easier.
Fakes: As high quality as Brunei is, the place is somewhat awash with fake items; specifically brand name sunglasses and watches, and DVDs. You will know by the price if the item is fake or not and shopping in the markets is also hit and miss. If you are after specific items, like rare Japanese war occupation stamps, know what you are buying in advance.
Bargaining: Always smile when haggling. Try halving the asking price and aim for around 30 percent off. Walk away if the vendor is not accommodating as there is always someone else selling the same item. You should also not be afraid to ask for a discount in a fixed price store in Brunei.