Dos and Don’ts in Cambodia

Do Dress Appropriately

When traveling in Cambodia, you will often feel warm, if not hot. Even so, you should avoid wearing clothes that are too short or too revealing, since the local dress code is quite conservative. Thanks to tourism, it is far less strict than it used to be, but you should still be respectful.

For both men and women, short-sleeved shirts or T-shirts, long light trousers, and sandals are usually acceptable. Clothing to avoid includes very short shorts, short skirts, tight pants, and similar items. Dress more conservatively and cover your knees and shoulders when visiting temples and local Cambodian homes.

Do Respond to a Smile With a Smile

If you type "Cambodian people" in your browser, smiling faces will be among the most common images you see. Add to that the fact that most residents of Cambodia are friendly toward travelers, and you get a destination full of warm smiles. So, it is polite to return a smile whenever you receive one while touring Cambodia.

A smile is a good way to say hello in Cambodia.

Do Greet With a Bow Instead of a Handshake

Bowing your head slightly and putting your hands in a prayer position is a common way to greet people in Cambodia. If you wear a hat, which you may do often to protect yourself from the sun, take it off when greeting someone. By bowing your head with your palms touching, you can say both "hello" and "goodbye."

Bowing your head slightly is a common way of greeting in Cambodia.

However, many Cambodians are becoming used to the way foreign visitors greet each other. So, you may find them offering a handshake. If you receive such a gesture, feel free to take their hand and shake it. You can adjust these dos and don’ts in Cambodia depending on the situation.

Do Take Off Your Hat and Shoes Inside Temples

When entering places of worship in this part of Indochina, you should remove your hat and take off your shoes. People in Cambodia are deeply religious, and they take the purity and sanctity of their temples and pagodas very seriously.

If you plan to visit a place of worship during the day, consider wearing easy-to-remove footwear such as flip-flops for convenience. Besides removing your shoes, you should also take off your hat at the entrance of a pagoda or temple.

Also, avoid pointing your feet at images of Buddha or at anyone else. Showing the bottom of your feet is something you should also avoid.

Do Ask Before You Take a Photo of the Locals

Most Cambodian people are open and friendly when it comes to photos. However, you should approach them politely and ask first. As a result, you can take home a memory card full of smiling Cambodian faces, just like those you often see online.

Ask before you take a photo of the locals.

However, you may notice some exceptions in the provinces of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri. Located in eastern Cambodia, Ratanakiri borders Vietnam and Laos, while Mondulkiri borders Vietnam.

These provinces are home to indigenous Kompong Loeu people. They may be less willing to be photographed and may move away quickly if they notice that you intend to take photos.

Don’t Touch Anyone’s Head

In many Western countries, touching someone’s head, especially a child’s, may seem harmless. However, in most of Asia, including Cambodia, touching or ruffling someone’s hair can be very offensive.

The head is considered the most sacred part of the body in many Asian cultures, so it is off-limits. Behind this custom is the belief that a person’s spiritual life force resides in the head. Be careful with your hands in busy areas and anywhere else.

Keep this cultural difference high on your dos and don’ts in Cambodia list.

Avoid Kissing or Dancing in a Provocative Manner in Public

Displaying affection in public is another thing you should avoid while touring Cambodia. This includes not only kissing but also hugging, putting your arm around someone’s shoulder, and even holding hands. Showing affection in these ways can make Cambodians feel uncomfortable.

It also goes without saying that dancing in a sexual or provocative manner is considered highly inappropriate. This part of Indochina is still conservative in many ways, so act respectfully.

Don’t Show Anger or Frustration in Public

The concept of face is abstract in Cambodia, and it has nothing to do with a person’s most recognizable physical feature.

Here, "face" represents a person’s reputation, dignity, honor, and social respect. You should avoid losing face or causing someone else to lose face, especially in public. Travelers who are unaware of local customs may do this unintentionally.

The safest way to save your own face and other people’s face is to stay calm. Do not display anger or point out someone’s mistake too directly. Even if you feel upset, you are much more likely to receive help if you remain calm instead of yelling.

Also, avoid criticizing locals or giving expensive gifts. In Cambodia, reciprocity matters, and your acquaintances may lose face if they feel they cannot repay you equally. Keep these cultural dos and don’ts in Cambodia in mind when preparing for your trip.

Don’t Bargain Too Much

Before you start haggling in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, or any other tourist destination in Cambodia, note that not everything is open to discount. Everyday items that are not aimed specifically at travelers, such as food or snacks, usually have fixed prices. Even if you manage to get a lower price, the difference is usually too small to matter.

When it comes to the ease of bargaining, Siem Reap stands out.

When you bargain for something, smile and keep it friendly. The main goal of bargaining should be reaching a fair price for both you and the vendor, not only for one side. Also, note that being in a group can give you better bargaining power.

When it comes to easy bargaining, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh stand out among Cambodian tourist destinations. In Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, you may even get a 20% or 30% discount on some street food. That can help you save on your Cambodia travel cost.

Don’t Give Gifts to Child Beggars and Those in Orphanages

While touring popular destinations throughout Cambodia, you will likely encounter child beggars. In these cases, you should avoid giving them money. If you do, you may not actually help them, because it can encourage them to keep begging instead of learning.

Also, many travelers visit orphanages without knowing that some are set up mainly for tourist visits. Many children there may still have living relatives who could care for them. Therefore, if you hand out money to child beggars or orphans, you may unknowingly support dishonest practices.

Summary

As you can see, most of the dos and don’ts in Cambodia revolve around respect and awareness. Residents of this friendly Indochinese nation are usually tolerant when travelers make small mistakes. However, you should still do your best to understand local customs before arriving. If you are unsure what to do or what to avoid, do not hesitate to ask.