Travel Tips
Passport & Visa
Visitors must have a valid passport with an EVT (Entry Visa for Tourist) to enter Myanmar. EVT can be obtained at any Myanmar Embassy or Consulate offices with validity for 28 days and extendable if necessary. Application forms in duplicate with three-passport six photos are to be submitted with a fee of US$ 20 in their respective currency.
Inclusive Package Visa
Valid three months from the date of Issue and require a tour confirmation letter from an authorized travel agencies in Yangon.
FIT Visa
Valid one month from the date of Issue but require no tour confirmation letter.
Visa On Arrival
Can be arranged for those countries where Myanmar Embassy or Consulate office does not exist. Special arrangement also is made upon request for those who have difficult in obtaining Myanmar visa irrespective of the country.
Currency & Exchange
Myanmar currency is Kyat and the denominations are K : 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 & 10000.
Airport Tax
Departure tax for international flights is US$ - 10 per person, payable in US$.
Inoculation & vaccination
Medical certificates of inoculations are essential especially for visitors coming from an infected area or yellow fever zones. Vaccination certificate is not necessary.
Shopping
Bargaining is an art long-practiced in Asian countries including Myanmar. Myanmar arts and crafts, mostly pure handmade, are best souvenirs and prices are very reasonable. Lacquer-ware, wood and ivory cravings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabric and shoulder bags are some of the favorite items. Finest Myanmar ruby, sapphire, jade and pearl are available at Myanmar gems shops.
Hospital & Clinic
It is very lucky for the citizens as Yangon has many internationally qualified surgeons and physicians in all branches of medical field. Frequently medical experts from abroad visit Yangon to take care of medical and surgical cases together with Myanmar counterparts. In Yangon, there are several hospitals and clinics. Some of them are under the management of Ministry of Health and the rest are operated by private companies. Private companies running the medical service business are trying their best but still can not provide full facilities as the hospitals managed by Government. In private sector, there is, however, a wide range of variability in quality, expertise, expenses and services offered. Ask friends and colleagues for their recommendations and experiences and judge yourself. More and more private owned polyclinics are opening in Yangon. They are not recognized as hospital by Ministry of Health. Polyclinic which reaches international standard as hospital is rare. After some delays, Pun Hlaing International Hospital opened last year. It was the first international standard private hospital in Yangon. It is operated by FMI Group. The hospital stands on the bank of Pun Hlaing River which flow by the Hlaing Tharyar satellite town.
Festival & Food
T is worth to note that some Myanmar foods are eaten during the certain festival. Most of them are eaten as snack. Myanmar new year festival is called Thingyan Festival and known as Water Festival. It occurs in the middle of summer, about mid-April and that time people feel so hot. So pouring or throwing water on one another is taken as nice and cool. Myanmar traditional food attached to the Thingyan Festival is mont lon yay paw (gluten pellet floating). During the festival small white pellets are eaten. They are served with plate and tooth pick is used to pick up pallet. During the Myanmar eleventh month, which occurs in January or February Myanmar traditional food Htamanei is eaten. It is a food preparation of glutinous rice with oil fried coconut flakes and other condiments. It is prepared in huge pans by young stalwarts. The master chief gives the guidance to them. It is cooked as a communal activity. This tradition started during second Innwa era.
Clothing
Light casual wear preferably cotton is suitable for all year round. You would need a cardigan or light sweater for the cool season especially when visiting Northern Myanmar in the cool season. An umbrella will be useful during the rainy season. If possible dress modestly at all times. Sandals or slippers are convenient, as all footwear must be removed before entering temples and pagodas. Visitors are required to dress decently on the precincts of religious buildings. Ladies should not wear shorts, briefs or bra-less T-Shirt in such places. Shoes and socks or stockings must be removed at all Pagodas and Monasteries.
Oversea Calls
Most of the phones provide international direct dialing calls and charges should be paid by FEC. International access code is 00 which should be followed by country code, area code and subscriber number. If you need operator assisted call, then call overseas booking operator by dialing 657444, 657555 or 657999. For domestic call you should call operator trunk dialing (OTD) call by dialing 101.
Time
The Myanmar Standard Time is six and half-hours in advance of GMT.
Electricity
Domestic power AC 220-250 50HZ.