Tips in Cambodia
How much, to whom, and how

The tipping culture in Cambodia is less codified than in North America and less absent than in East Asia. Cambodians do not systematically expect a tip, but they receive it with sincere gratitude. In the tourism sector, base salaries are often close to the minimum wage (around 200 USD/month) — a tip of 1 or 2 dollars represents a significant part of a daily income.

Recommended amounts by situation

Restaurants

In a mid-range or upscale restaurant, leaving 1 to 2 USD (or rounding up the bill) is a well-established practice. In local eateries and street markets, tipping is not expected but always appreciated. If the bill already includes a "service charge" of 5 or 10%, you are not obligated to leave more — but servers often do not see that service charge.

Tour guides

This is where tipping matters the most. A certified guide who spends 6-8 hours explaining Angkor deserves a generous tip. The range of 10-20 USD for a full day is the minimum acceptable for a good guide. If the tour was exceptional, 25-30 USD is not excessive. For a half-day, 5-10 USD is appropriate.

Full-day tuk-tuk drivers

A driver who waits for you all day between each temple, knows the entrances, suggests the best photo spots, and ensures you don’t miss your last site deserves more than just a "thank you." An additional 2-5 USD on top of the negotiated price is the standard practice.

Massages and spas

In traditional massage parlors (7-10 USD per hour), a tip of 2-3 USD is appreciated. In upscale spas (50-100 USD per treatment), 5-10 USD is normal. Hand the tip directly to the practitioner, not at the cash register — it’s not guaranteed that the establishment will pass it on.

How to give a tip

Always give the tip directly to the person concerned, in cash, at the end of the service. A tip left on the table or slipped into the bill may not reach its intended recipient in some establishments. A few words in Khmer can accompany the gesture: aw kun (អរគុណ) means "thank you."