Culture Tips

Myanmar is a country deeply respectful of their religious and cultural traditions. Visitors will not cause offense if they note a few things:

• Remove shoes and socks before entering religious buildings and compounds as footwear is strictly prohibited in pagodas and monasteries.

• Some monasteries allow footwear in the compound but not inside the buildings, starting with the lowest step! Better make sure first.

• It is also polite remove shoes before entering a private home but socks may be left on.

• When handing someone money or a gift, use the right hand or both hands, with the exception of paying the bill in a teashop or restaurant. Then it is a more casual transaction.

• Women should not ride on the roof of buses or boats; it is offensive to the men or elderly sitting underneath.

• Women should not touch a monk's robes or body of monk or nun.

• In most pagodas, women are not allowed to go up higher levels.

• When you wear Myanmar dress, which is sold ready-to-wear, make sure you do not wear it carelessly such as with knees showing or unbuttoned or, in the case of women, without underwear.

• Going bra-less is definitely not done in Myanmar.

• Make sure not to be wearing shorts or skimpy tops when you visit pagodas.

• Even in the street, skimpy clothing would be considered insulting to the public.

Travel Tips

Entry Visa

There are three types of Myanmar Visa called EVT (FIT) and EVT (Package) visa. We encourage you to apply EVT (Package)visa. Both have to apply at the Myanmar Embassies or Consulate abroad. Another type of visa called Pre-Approved Visa on arrival can be obtained on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotels & Tourism and could issue visa on arrival at the airport but need to apply visa at travel agent minimum 15 days in advance.
Details are as follow:

EVT (FIT)

Also this Myanmar visa can apply at the Myanmar Embassy abroad. Visa fee is USD20. Until August 2003, it is necessary to change 200 USD into equivalent 200 FEC compulsorily. But now, government relaxes it and those FIT visa holders also do not need to change FEC 200 on arrival at the Yangon airport. Check for Myanmar Embassy >>

EVT (PACKAGE)

You can apply Myanmar Visa at Myanmar Embassy or consulate with prior arrangements and confirmation from Travel Agencies in Myanmar. These visa holders are not necessary to change USD 200 – on arrival in Yangon airport. Myanmar Asia House will be providing a confirmation letter to the Embassy for those clients who bought a tour from us or those who bough a Myanmar Hotel, transfers and one optional tour or flight tickets together. Check for Myanmar Embassy >>

Myanmar Pre-approved Visa on Arrival

For those travelers who live at the countries where Myanmar Embassies or Consulates do not exist or who do not have time to apply visa at the Myanmar Embassies, we will arrange Myanmar pre-approved (applied in advance in Myanmar & issue visa only on arrival at the airport) visa on arrival.
The following information of the clients was needed: Check for Myanmar Embassy >>

1. Clients full name and Passport numbers.
2. Date of issue and place of issue.
3. Date of expire
4. Father's Name
5. Date of Birth and place of Birth
6. Occupation
7. Home Address
8. Nationality
9. 2 recent photos size photographs (can send by e-mail to Asiahouse@myanmar.com.mm)
10. Countries of passport valid.
11. Self declaration of free from Myanmar politic and religious disputes.

Visa Validity

Tourist Visa is valid for a stay of 28 days with an option for extension. Business visas may be extended for 28 days.

Airport Tax

Airport tax is US$ 10 plus additional US$ 2 as in insurance per person on international departure.

Duty Free Allowance

Visitors are allowed 2 bottles of liquor, 2 cartons of cigarettes; 100 cigars; 1-5 lb of tobacco, one paint bottle of perfume.

Customs

Visitors may bring in any amount of foreign currency but it must be declared to the Customs if it exceeds US$ 2,000. Jewelry, electrical goods and cameras must be declared at the port of entry. Export of antiques and archeologically valuable objects are prohibited.

Currency

The currency is kyat pronounced (chat) and is divided into 100 pyas. At present, the following kyat bank notes are in general use: K 1, K 5, K 10, K 20, K 50, K 100, K 200, K 500 and K 1000.
Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC)
FECs issued in 1, 5, 10, 20 denominations are convenient for travelers in payment for air tickets, hotel bills and entrance fees. There is no compulsory exchange of US dollars into FEC for any type of tourists.

Credit cards and Travelers' Cheques

Only major hotels will accept credit cards or travelers' chaques. Most commercial transactions are done in cash, so bring cash to avoid any disappointments. Also US dollars are easier of exchange than other currencies. Cash can be withdrawn from credit card accounts of Visa or American Express, but this service is available only in Yangon.

Electricity

230 Volts AC; 50 HZ

Miscellaneous

Crime rate is low, so you are safer than in most countries but prudence is never wrong.

Shopping

You cannot post parcels home, although some shops will do the shipping for you. Ask first before you buy anything bulky. You cannot take back antiques. Better to avoid buying old-looking Buddha images even if they were made a week ago, as the Custom Officers may not allow its export. Buy jewelry only from authorized dealers and be sure to get a receipt which must be shown at Customs.

Dress

Light Cotton clothing for all year round except when visiting northern parts during the cold season. A light wrap for the evenings during the cool season are recommended too. Do not wear shorts, tank tops or sleeveless blouses when visiting temples. At all times, dress modestly. Any kind of revealing clothing is frowned upon in Myanmar. Sandals are convenient as it is obligatory to remove shoes and socks when visiting pagodas and temples.

Comfort and Care

Use Mosquito repellent when necessary and use sunscreen liberally when exposed to the intense, tropical sun. Try to avoid going out in the midday sun when it's very hot. Don't forget to bring medication you would normally use in emergencies, such as antibiotics etc. Most medicines are available but maybe not the brand you normally use.
The same precautions as anywhere else, drink only pre-boiled water such as green tea or bottled water of reputable brands. Better to avoid ice cubed in the street stalls.
Do not eat raw vegetables. Only eat fruits that you can peel or cut yourself. Be wary of eating food from street stalls. Avoid eating shellfish in hot weather, if you are not actually on the beach.

Emergency Medical Care

SOS International Clinic offers 24 hour international standard medical assistance with emergency evacuations, medically supervised repatriations, dispatch of doctors or specialists. Locate at Dusit Inya Lake Hotel.
24hours Emergency service:
Tel    : 95-1-667 879
Fax   : 95-1-667 866 
Email: intl.sos@mptmail.net.mm

Driving

International Driving Permit is required. This must be presented to the Police to endorse or for issuance of visitor license.