Where to Shopping and What to Buy in Brunei Darussalam

Shopping in Brunei is practically a national pastime – Bruneians love to scout the shopping malls searching for the best deals while lamenting the country’s limited variety of retail havens. Brunei citizenship benefits, With pensions for all, education and healthcare on the house, free sport and leisure centres, subsidised houses and cars, short working weeks, the highest minimum wage in the region and income taxes are unheard of, the people of Brunei remain happy with their lot. So it comes as no surprise that high-end purchases from ritzy big brand names such as Versace, Guess etc. are commonplace. The micro-nation’s only traffic jam occurs every night in Gadong, Brunei’s main shopping district, when locals clamour to find parking space for their nightly retail fix.

Kompleks Bangunan Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah

This is one of most popular places to shop in Brunei – the picturesque shopping mall is home to big brand names as well as high-end local boutiques selling fabrics and jewellery. A mixture of modern and traditional architecture, this four-hectare complex is one of the more popular places in Brunei for retail therapy.

Location: Jalan Pretty, Bandar Seri Begawan BS 8711 

Tel: +673 223 2731 or +673 223 2732 or +673 223 2733 or +673 223 2734 

The Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex or more simply the Yayasan SHHB Complex, is the biggest shopping complex in Bandar Seri Begawan. 

The shopping complex has some of the best shops in the city such as the Hua Ho Supermarket, one of the many Hua Ho outlets in Brunei. There's also a KFC here, for all your Brunei fast-food fanciers.

The largest shopping center in Brunei is the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex . It is located close to the riverfront. It has several floors and a big department store on one end.maybe shopping is what this town does for entertainment as it seemed to be the busiest spot in Bandar Seri Begawan.The biggest mall in Brunei, There are shops, both native products or handicrafts and electronics, toys stores, groceries. 

You can still enjoy the amenities - there are good restaurants and fastfood chains, coffeeshops - and the Kampong Ayer and the huge mosque are around the mall.There are times that you're the only person walking along the collonaded walkways featuring a majestic view of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.

The largest shopping mall in Brunei is the majestic Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex in the capital. This is a breathtaking piece of architecture with ample parking for visitors and houses a wide array of upmarket boutiques and shops.

Pasar Gadong

This bustling night market is located beside one of the micro-nation’s big-time shopping complexes. The giant marquee has roadside vendors that sell Brunei traditional food, just about every type of edible item available from satay and chicken wings to kueh and barbecued fish. Additionally, you can get souvenirs and handicrafts as you walk past the vendors along the street.

Location: Lorong Sultan, Gadong 

The Mall

The best known air-conditioned bastion of retail commerce, the large The Mall complex is almost always crowded and has an astonishing number of stores that retail high-end merchandise as well as several great places with traditional Brunei treats.

Location: Gadong 

http://www.borneo-hotels.com/brunei/shopping.htm

Visiting Brunei Darussalam

Share the information if visiting Brunei Darussalam

Airports

It will take approximately 20 minutes from Brunei Darussalam International Airport to the city. The airport tax is B$5 for passengers leaving for destinations in Malaysia or Singapore and B$12 for passengers to all other destinations.

Ground transport (Land Transport in Brunei)

Metered taxis are available from the international airport to all parts of the country. The fare for the 11 kilometre ride from the airport to Bandar Seri Begawan is around B$20. Some hotels provide free transfer from airport. An intermittent bus service runs to and from the airport, and from the capital to the major towns of Brunei except Bangar and Temburong.
Water taxis are the most common form of transport in ‘Kampong Ayer’, the Water Village. Regular water taxis and other boats have routes between the capital and Bangar, and Malaysia, including Limbang (in Sarawak) and Labuan. Onwards connections are available from Labuan to a few towns in the state of Sabah.
Self-drive and chauffeur-driven cars are available for hire at B$100 to B$400 per day depending on the type of car. It is advisable to book cars in advance through the reservation desks at the hotel. An international driving licence is normally required if you are driving.

Hotels

There is a relatively big range of hotels in Brunei. The Empire Hotel and Country Club is a six-star hotel with a room rate of B$250 per night. Room rates for a two- to three-star hotel is approximately B$65 per night. A middle range hotel would cost around B$120 per night including breakfast. The Sheraton Hotel is the only international hotel chain in Brunei, and their room rate is approximately B$190 per night. Hotel rooms are usually available in Brunei, however, it would be advisable to book well in advance in case of a major event.

Dining

There are numerous restaurants serving international cuisines that have mushroomed around the country. These restaurants offer foreign dishes ranging from Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian to Thai, Korean, Mediterranean, Arabic, Vietnamese, French and other cuisines.
To please the most discerning palates, highly rated hotels in the country also offer various western cuisines, authentic Italian dishes, Japanese and Lebanese food.
A wide selection of local dishes Brunei traditional food, can also be found in the local night markets. There are a great number of cafes, bistros and eateries that serve top class cuisine at very reasonable prices in the Sultanate. Generally, the food served in Brunei is Halal, as the population is made up of mostly Muslims. The country does not place too many restrictions on restaurants, as long as proper rules and regulations are followed. For non-halal establishments, a label or sign states that the food served is that particular eatery is not for Muslim consumption.
As the law in Brunei prohibits the public sale and consumption of alcohol, all restaurants, regardless of Halal or non-halal ones, do not serve alcohol.

Tipping

Tipping is optional. Some hotels and service establishment add 10 per cent service charge to their room rates or services.

Tourist attractions In Brunei

Brunei Darussalam offers visitors excellent museums, resplendent mosques, scenic spots and for the nature lovers, lakes, hills and seashores, mostly located in and around the capital.
Brunei’s four districts each boasts its own tourist attraction; parks, forest reserve, historical buildings, mosques, shopping malls to name a few.
Some of the major attractions in Brunei are:

• Kampong Ayer (water village)
• Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (modern shopping complex)
• Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
• The Royal Brunei Regalia Museum
• Brunei History Centre
• Tamu Kianggeh (open market)
• Brunei Arts and Handicrafts Centre
• Brunei Museum
• Mausoleum of Sultan Bolkiah
• House of twelve roofs
• Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
• The Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Silver Jubilee Park and Recreation Area
• Wasai Kendai (waterfall)
• Jerudong Theme Park Brunei
• Millionth Barrel Monument
• Oil and Gas Discovery Centre

source
http://www.austrade.gov.au/Export/Export-Markets/Countries/Brunei/Visiting/Travel

Festivals In Brunei Darussalam

Sultan Brunei

About Festival in Brunei Darussalam Country,  are always celebrated with colour, enthusiasm and happiness. 

Young and old from different races come together in a spirit of unity that we are justifiably proud of.

We invite you to join us, and enjoy the unique traditions that have been passed down to us by preceeding generations.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Hari Raya is a time for celebration after the fasting month of Ramadhan.

 Prayers are held in the early morning of the first day at every mosque in the country.

 This day is usually an occasion for. The second day normally means open house; an invitation for all to visit. Special festive dishes are made The Brunei traditional food,  including ketupat (rice cakes), satay (beef and chicken kebabs), rendang (spicy marinated beef) and many others.

His Majesty the Sultan also throws his doors open to the people at the Istana Nurul Iman. 

This gives the people and visitors a chance to meet His Sultan Majesty and other members of the Royal Family, in order to wish them Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This is defintely an offer which should not be missed. When visiting you should dress conservatively. 

Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day

The formation of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces is commemorated every year on the 31st of May, and the event usually takes place at the Taman Haji Sir Omar Ali Saifuddien in the heart of the city. 

It consists of a military parade and displays, such as a parachuting show or battle demonstration. In other districts, units of the armed forces organise local parades and displays for the public. 

Hari Raya Aidiladha

This is also known as Hari Raya Koran. It marks the time when Muslims embark on the Haj, or holy pilgrimage to Mecca. 

The usual practice - for those who can afford it - is to sacrifice goats and cows. The meat is then distributed to relatives, friends and those who are less fortunate. 

His Majesty the Sultan's Birthday 15th of July

This joyous occasion is one of the most important events in the national calendar, with events and festivities taking place across the whole country. 

It usually starts when the people gather at the Taman Haji Sir Muda OmarAli Saifuddien, in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan. 

His Majesty meets his subjects there and delivers a titah, or speech, to mark the occasion. 

Afterwards there is an investiture at the Istana Nurul Iman and, for the next two weeks or so, a series of processions, parades and celebrations. 

Fireworks displays take place and night markets - pasar malam - open up to sell food and drinks to the crowds. 

Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad

This occasion is better known in Brunei as Mauludun Nabi SAW. Muslims gather at the Taman Haji Sir Oman Ali Saifuddien to honour the occasion.

There are readings from the Holy Koran and an address on Islam from the Ministry of reliroys Affairs to open the function. His Majesty the Sultan also gives a speech and then, along with other members of the Royal Family, leads a procession on foot through the main streets of Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei. 

The Prophet's birthday is also celebrated at the same time in other parts of the country, with lectures, religous functions and other activities. 

Chinese New Year

This festival is celebrated by the Chinese community and lasts two full weeks. It begins with a reunion dinner on the eve of the celebration which, traditionally, all members of the family attend. 

Open house is declared and everyone is invited to feast on sumptuous spreads of food and drink. Unmarried youngsters are given 'ang pow' - gifts of money in little red packets. 

Christmas Day

Although not celebrated on a wide scale, Christmas Day is nevertheless a joyous and colourful occasion, well received by the nation. It is centred on Bandar Seri Begawan and the Belait District, where the greatest concentrations of Christmas expatriates live. They also hold "open house" to entertain their friends and colleagues. 

Where to Eat in Brunei Darussalam

 

Share Options for eating out in Brunei Darussalam travel,  range from informal and casual eateries to more established restaurants and haste cuisine.There are Tourist Food attractions in Brunei :

Hawker-Style Food

Hawker centres offer fine local delicacies at very reasonable prices. Favourite dishes include Brunei traditional food, satay, noodles, rice, whole roasted chickens, grilled fish and steamboats.

Hawker food can be found along the Brunei River in downtown Bandar Seri Begawan, and in a purpose-built complex next to Jerudong Park. 

The Persiaran Damuan park on Jalan Tutong is well known for its popular steamboat dinnersand satay. 

In Gadong, there is an indoor hawker centre on the ground floor of Yaohan Megamart - which offers a variety of food ranging from quiche to sushi! 

Restaurant Dining - Asian

Gadong has a good mix of restaurants offering Asian cuisine. This includes Chinese, Lebanese, Indonesian, Indian, Thai and Japanese food, as well as speciality outlets for seafood and Nyonya. Many are family-run enterprises with a comfortable, friendly atmosphere. 

Downtown Bandar also has many kedai makan (local eateries), and good seafood restaurants can be found along Jalan Muara and in Muara town. Tutong, Seria and Kuala Belait have a good and varied selection of restaurants. 

Chinese cuisineis especially popular in Brunei, and there are many fine authentic restaurants. In Gadong the Emperor's Court and the Szechuan Dynasty are renown, as are the Jade Garden in the Riverview Hotel and the Phong Mun in downtown Bandar. 

Restaurant Dining - Western

The major hotels all have cafes which serve a mixture of Asian and western meals, and sumptuous value-formoney buffets. Deals Restaurant in the Sheraton Utama specialises in very high quality nouvelle cuisine. The Buccaneers in Kuala Belait serves excellent British fare in a tudor-style setting. 

Fast Food

Fast food has really caught on in Brunei. Pizza Hut, KFC and MacDonalds Brunei all have outlets in the city and atJerudong Park. Jollibee, Sugar Bun and Express Burger are local equivalents. 

Please note that the public sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law in Brunei, therefore restaurants do not sell alcoholic drinks. 

Most restaurants open until about 9.00 or 10.00 pm, and reservations may be required at weekends, especially in hotels and the larger Chinese restaurants. 

source :
http://bruneirestaurantreview.blogspot.com/

Wajid From Temburong

holidays in brunei, Besides Udang Galah and Chendol Food in Brunei, one of Temburong District's most famous product is wajid, the Brunei food too.
This brown sticky rice is sold for $2 for 8 small pieces... See how expensive it is?

Wajid the Temburong Brunei traditional food

The main ingredient is the one on the right, marked B$37

source :

http://phoenix4bn.blogspot.com/2008/04/wajid-temburong.html