Cambodia

Recommended Vaccinations For Cambodia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country. Therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country. Therefore, vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions. The U.S. CDC recommends the cholera vaccine for travellers who are 18-64 years of age and who plan to travel to areas of active cholera transmission. CDC notes that most travellers do not travel to areas of active cholera transmission, and that safe food and water practices can prevent many cholera infections.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine

Vaccination against Japanese encephalitis is recommended for travellers to endemic areas during Japanese encephalitis virus transmission season if their itinerary or activities will increase their risk (e.g. spending substantial time outdoors in rural or agricultural areas; staying in accommodations without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets.)

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG vaccine is recommended to all unvaccinated adults, and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) should be administered to infants 6 to 11 months old prior to international travel.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. This country requires all persons 1 year of age and older to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if travelling from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, including transiting more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities and rural areas.

Recommended Medications For Cambodia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Travellers to Cambodia should consider anti-malaria medication unless only visiting Phnom Penh, areas close to Lake Tonle Sap, and the temple complex at Angkor Wat. For the western provinces of Cambodia bordering Thailand, atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline are recommended. Anti-malaria drug resistance is present for chloroquine in the rest of Cambodia. The recommended medication includes atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Cambodia

For Most Travellers

Cholera

Cholera occurs in this country.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Cambodia.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever outbreaks occur regularly in Cambodia, and the risk to travellers is significant.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Cambodia through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

For Some Travellers

Zika Fever

Zika virus can occur in this country.

Scrub Typhus

Scrub typhus, also known as Tsutsugamushi fever, occurs occasionally in Cambodia.

Measles

There is a risk of acquiring measles in the country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Cambodia through contaminated food or coming into contact with a person infected with the virus

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Cambodia are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting ill friends or family or working in the health care field.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. This country requires all persons 1 year of age and older to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if travelling from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, including transiting more than 12 hours through an airport in a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis occurs throughout all of Cambodia. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Cambodia. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Cambodia. The risk is higher when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in all forested rural areas, including coastal areas. Phnom Penh and areas close to Tonle Sap (Siem Reap) are not at risk. Risk within the tourist area of Angkor Wat is negligible. Mefloquine medication resistance is widespread in the western provinces of Cambodia bordering Thailand.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Safety & Security in Cambodia

Personal Safety

Petty crime remains the primary concern for visitors in Cambodia. Bag snatching by thieves on motorbikes is common in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, often targeting tourists in tuk-tuks or on foot. Thieves cut bag straps and can cause injury during these snatchings. The Phnom Penh riverfront area accounts for around 63 percent of reported incidents. Tourists should surrender valuables rather than resist to avoid injury. Crime rates in Cambodia have decreased significantly since 2007, with murder rates falling by 16 percent annually from 2007 to 2011.

Scams targeting foreigners are widespread. Card games, fake job offers, and border crossing extortion schemes occur frequently. Organized crime groups advertise easy jobs with high pay, then traffic victims to secure compounds in Sihanoukville, border areas, and Kandal. Victims report long work hours, low pay, withheld passports, and restricted movement. Drink spiking incidents have been reported in bars and nightclubs, particularly in tourist areas. Gun ownership is common and shootouts occur regularly, typically arising from commercial or personal disputes. Foreigners have been seriously injured or killed in armed robberies and home invasions targeting businesses and business owners. The legal system is unpredictable, lacks transparency, and is subject to political and business interference.

Extreme Violence

Violent crime against tourists is uncommon but does occur. Gun ownership is widespread and shootouts happen regularly, typically related to commercial, personal, or business disputes. These incidents can occur at tourist destinations and bystanders can get caught up in them. Traffic disputes have resulted in violence involving weapons. Armed robberies and home invasions targeting businesses or business owners happen across Cambodia, and criminals have seriously injured or killed foreigners. Motorcycle and taxi drivers sometimes assault and rob foreigners late at night in areas popular with tourists and expats.

Explosions have occurred, usually linked to organized crime rather than terrorism. A bomb was left near a casino in Phnom Penh in December 2022 and a shooting occurred the same month, both likely connected to organized crime. Tourists were not targeted in these incidents. Cambodia has no recent history of terrorist attacks targeting tourists or public areas, but attacks cannot be ruled out. Sexual assaults have been reported against foreign travelers in Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, including incidents of lone women being sexually assaulted by men claiming to be motorbike taxi drivers in the Pub Street area of Siem Reap.

Political Unrest

Cambodia operates as a single-party state with limited political freedoms. The ruling Cambodian People’s Party maintains tight control through intimidation, politically motivated prosecutions, and violence against opposition members. In 2023, ahead of national elections, surveillance, intimidation, judicial harassment, and violent attacks intensified against political opposition members. Opposition party members were assaulted in Phnom Penh in broad daylight by men in dark clothes using extendable metal batons. The main opposition Candlelight Party was barred from fielding candidates in the 2023 elections on politically motivated grounds.

Peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time and may lead to disruptions of traffic and public transportation. Authorities are hostile to free assembly and opposition gatherings are prohibited. Demonstrations related to politics, labor rights, and land disputes are routinely dispersed by security forces, who subject peaceful protesters to threats, excessive violence, and arbitrary detention. Laws related to incitement and defamation are broadly defined and applied. Criticizing or insulting the King or monarchy is illegal. Border tensions with Thailand have escalated, with armed conflict occurring along the Cambodia-Thailand border in 2025. Areas within 50 kilometers of the Cambodia-Thailand border should be avoided due to ongoing fighting between Cambodian and Thai military forces.

Areas To Avoid

Avoid areas within 50 kilometers of the Cambodia-Thailand border due to ongoing fighting between Cambodian and Thai military forces. The border saw armed conflict in July 2025 after five consecutive days of fighting with multiple casualties on both sides. Border crossings may close unexpectedly or have their hours changed without notice.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain in remote areas, especially in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, and Kampong Thom provinces. Mined areas are often unmarked. Visitors should not stray off main routes in rural areas, including around temple complexes. Use local guides when walking in forested areas or dry rice paddies in these regions.

Sihanoukville has serious organized crime problems. Chinese groups run illegal operations in the coastal city and scam operations targeting foreigners occur. Human trafficking cases are concentrated in and around Sihanoukville, border areas, and Kandal. Many travelers now skip Sihanoukville entirely in favor of safer beach towns like Kep and Koh Rong Samloem. The Phnom Penh riverfront at night poses elevated risks, with locals warning visitors to avoid the riverwalk after dark. About 63 percent of theft incidents in Phnom Penh happen near the riverfront area. Pub Street in Siem Reap attracts pickpockets and scammers, with common scams including free tours by tuk-tuk drivers leading to shops that pressure purchases.