Asia · PreGoYa
Home to Angkor Wat and a deeply Buddhist culture. Modest dress, respect for monks, and gentle manners matter everywhere you go.
What to know
Monks in saffron robes are a daily sight. They are deeply revered, and there are clear rules for how visitors interact with them.
Why
The monkhood is at the heart of Cambodian spiritual life.
Do
Avoid
What to know
Angkor Wat is a living temple, not just a ruin. Modest dress and quiet behavior are expected.
Why
These stones remain sacred to Cambodians.
Do
Avoid
What to know
Khmer food is gentle and herb-forward — amok, lok lak, and fresh spring rolls are staples. Meals are shared, and rice is served with almost everything.
Why
Sharing food is the everyday form of Cambodian hospitality.
Do
Avoid
What to know
Tipping is not traditional but is welcome, especially in tourism. US dollars circulate widely alongside the riel.
Why
Tourism wages are low, and visitors are generally assumed to be wealthier.
Do
Avoid
What to know
The Khmer Rouge years (1975–1979) are recent, living memory. Many families lost relatives.
Why
Casual curiosity about a national trauma can be deeply painful.
Do
Avoid
The things travelers most often get wrong — rated by how much they matter.
Why? Physical contact with monks is strictly avoided, especially by women.
Why? Feet are considered the lowest part of the body.
Why? Modest dress is required out of respect.
Why? It can pull children out of school; supporting registered local organisations helps far more.
Cambodia pairs breathtaking temples with a gentle, resilient culture. Dress modestly, defer to monks, and move through sacred sites with quiet respect — and you will be welcomed warmly.
Written by PreGoYa · Last updated · pregoya@foxmail.com
Common questions
Not traditionally, but it is welcome. Round up tuk-tuk fares, leave a dollar or two at casual restaurants, and tip guides and drivers a few US dollars per day. US dollars are widely accepted alongside the riel.
Cover shoulders and knees at Angkor and every temple — this is enforced at the main Angkor complex. Light, breathable fabrics suit the heat. Beachwear belongs on the coast, not in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.
Dressing immodestly at temples, touching or handing items to monks if you are a woman, pointing feet at people or Buddha images, and treating recent history casually.
No. Women should not touch monks or hand items to them directly. Place the offering on a cloth or table, or ask a man to pass it. Many monks hold a receiving cloth specifically to avoid contact.
Liked Cambodia? The World Traveler Guide covers all 30+ destinations — religion, etiquette, dining, dress, and taboos, in one downloadable PDF.
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