How to Travel Ethically in Cambodia

We at HHA Cambodia and Human & Hope advocate for ethical travel. We encourage you to respect the people and culture, recognise that the best way to help is with your dollars, and do your research.

Here are some tips on how to travel ethically when visiting Cambodia.

Avoid Voluntourism

HHA Cambodia is entirely run by local Cambodian staff, and do not accept foreign volunteers. Despite what others may say, our experience has shown us that voluntourism causes more harm than good. It disempowers local staff, creates attachment issues with children, is a band-aid approach to the issues our people face, and sends the message that Cambodians can’t develop their communities without hands-on help from foreigners.

Locals are best placed to develop their communities in culturally appropriate, sustainable manners.

Try this instead: Support the salaries of local teachers by providing a monetary donation to a school or donate blood at Angkor Hospital for Children.

Research and Respect the Culture

You don’t want to inadvertently offend the local people by not adhering to their local culture. Make sure you pack appropriate clothing for your destination, read up on cultural dos and don’ts, and even learn some basic words so you can show respect to your host country.

It will enhance your experience and ensure you are leaving a positive footprint.

Don’t Buy from Street Children

We understand that it is easy to feel overwhelmed by children selling items or begging for money. But giving money to children keeps them out of school and on the path to a life of begging.

Kids may be unwillingly working with a gang or a parent who may have a drug or alcohol addiction. They may also see the benefit of getting money immediately, with the cash they receive keeping them out of school and not thinking about the future when they are not ‘young and cute’ anymore and have no education to back them up.

Don’t give them food or other items instead; it opens children up to risks such as grooming.

Try this instead: Find reputable NGOs (like HHA Cambodia) to support with your tourist dollar instead.

Don’t Partake in Poverty Tours

Be cautious when deciding what tours to undertake. If you visit a village, these tours often put communities on show, intrudes on their day-to-day living and violates their privacy. We always suggest you put yourselves in the shoes of those people you want to help. How would you feel if you were at home, hanging out the washing or taking a bath, and someone came and took photos of you? That’s what often happens on village tours and trips to the floating village.

Try this instead: Take a local cooking class or workshop to learn about the Khmer culture.

Be Respectful When Taking Photos

Ask people before taking their photos, and don’t take photos of children as you don’t have their parents’ permission. Make sure to portray those who give their permission in a positive light, not in vulnerable situations.

Please don’t profit from photos of people without their permission and providing a payment.

Don’t Visit Orphanages

More than 3/4 of children living in orphanages in Cambodia are not orphans. Comprehensive research show that growing up, separated from family, in a residential care institution, such as an orphanage, is harmful to a child’s development and wellbeing. Supporting orphanages perpetuates the cycle of family separation and institutionalisation.

Try this instead: Educate yourself and your loved ones on the harms of orphanages.

Support Social Enterprises

There are countless for-purpose businesses to support across the world that train people from marginalised backgrounds or support charities with their profits.

Shop, dine and stay at social enterprises or ethical businesses so that the employees can stay in stable employment and break the cycle of poverty.

It is a great way for you to respectfully be involved in the skill building of these people whilst also getting some benefit!

Some great socially responsible businesses in Siem Reap: HOPE Sewing Enterprise, HAVEN, Phare Circus, Very Berry, WILD, Senteurs d’Angor, Rokhak Women’s Handicrafts, Footprint Cafes, New Leaf Eatery, Banteay Srei Butterfly Centre, Artisans Angkor

Avoid the ‘Baby Powder Milk Scam’

A child may approach you, holding a baby, and say, “I don’t want money, I want milk for my brother/sister.” If you say yes, they will direct you to a shop to buy them milk, and once you leave, they will return the milk and split the profits with the shop worker. This practice keeps children on the street and puts them in danger of coming across people will ill intentions.

Try this instead: Walk away and provide a monetary donation to an NGO that works to keep children in school.

Reduce your Environmental Impact

Cambodia has taken great steps to improve their environmental impact, but there is still lots more to be done, and you can play your part.

Say no to plastic bags and straws, and instead carry reusable shopping bags with you. Turn off your air conditioning when you leave your hotel and limit the number of times your towels are washed. Purchase locally made products. If you feel comfortable, hire a bicycle to explore.

Think Twice before Visiting Schools

Visiting schools disrupts learning, inadvertently puts children at risk and creates a culture where communities view this as normal. Chances are, you wouldn’t be allowed to tour schools and classrooms in your home country. Children are not tourist attractions.

Try this instead: If you do decide to visit a school, ensure it is one with a visitor policy that does not allow you to take photos, walk into classrooms or be left alone with students.