We all start with the best intentions, and want to make a positive difference in the world when we travel. But when orphanages become volunteer tourism destinations, they create incentives to direct children with living parents away from their homes, 3 out of 4 Cambodian "orphans" have a living parent. Studies show family-based care is a far better solution for these kids.
Filmmaker Vincent Urban and two friends traveled through Southeast Asia for two months. They shipped a Land Rover to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and then drove up through Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. And captured every great moment of their journey with little DSLRs. These are highlights.
Two million women and girls will be sold into sex slavery around the globe in the next 12 months. It is the 3rd largest organized crime business in the world. At least 1 in 40 girls in Cambodia will be sold into sex slavery. Somaly Man is a former Cambodian sex slave, now dedicated to raising awareness around this issue. The Somaly Man Foundation has rescued 4,500 girls and continues their efforts on a global level and this is their story.
Listen to Daniela Papi in her TEDx talk, she spent six years living in Cambodia and founded her own travel organization, PEPY TOURS, originally "voluntourism" and now shifted to learning travel. She brings to light the flaws in the efforts to do good on the international front, such as in Cambodia where the popularity of orphanage volunteering has led to the phenomenon that 3 out of 4 Cambodian "orphans" have 1 or more live parents. Here's her story.
In 2011 Matt Ferrington pushed himself out of his comfort zone and spent 6 months backpacking through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Indonesia with a couple of friends. In his visually stunning video "Half a World Away" Matt takes us on an adventure through the streets, clouds, beaches, and beautiful landscapes of Southeast Asia.
Asia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, The Philippines, Vietnam, thailand in Cool Travel Videos 
