USEFUL INFORMATION

Passport and visa

Visitors must have a valid passport with and EVT (Entry Visa for Tourist) to enter Myanmar. EVT can be obtained at any Myanmar Embassy/ Consulate offices with validity for 28 days. Application forms in duplicate with three-passport size photos are to be submitted with a fee of US$ 20 in their respective currency. There are two types of tourist visa available. Inclusive Package Visa - valid three months from the date of issue and there is no need to exchange 200 FEC on arrival but require a tour confirmation letter from an authorized travel agencies in Yangon. FIT visa - valid one month from the date of issue and require compulsory exchange of 200 FEC on arrival but no tour confirmation letter. Visa-on-Arrival can be arranged for the countries where Myanmar Embassy/Consulate office does not exists. In which case journeys will organize a pre-arranged Visa-on-Arrival service.

Currency and exchange

Myanmar currency is kyat and the denominations are K-1,5,10,15,20,45,50,90,100,200,500 & 1,000. Foreign Individual Travelers (FIT) are require to buy Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) unit at the fixed rate of US$ 1 = FEC 1 at Yangon airport on arrival however group tour travelers or INCLUSIVE PACKAGE visa holder are exempted from this requirement. FECs generally accepted as US$ and are payable to all bills and purchases as US$. FECs also are exchanged for local currency with prevailing market rate at authorized moneychangers. However Traveler's Cheque and International credit cards are not widely used. Only leading hotels and restaurants will accept American Express and Visa.

Airport tax

Departure tax for international flights is US$-10.per person, payable in US dollar.

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

Lacquer-ware, wood and ivory carvings, tapestries, silverware, brassware, silk and cotton fabrics and shoulder bags are some of the favorite items. Finest Myanma ruby, sapphire, jade and pearl are available at Myanmar gems shops and certain market.

Health

24-hour, medical clinic, with internationally trained medical staff and health insurance is now available in Yangon.

Food

Restaurants specializing in Myanmar, Chinese, and Indian food. European cuisine is available some restaurants or at most of the larger hotels. The basic Myanmar food is mainly rice and curry. The Myanmar style of food is very spicy and salty. Popular dishes include Ohn-noh-khauk-swe, noodles served with coconut milk gravy, and Mohingah, rice noodles served with fish gravy. Another Myanmar favorite dessert is Sanwin-ma-kin (Myanmar sweet cakes made with semolina, sugar, egg, butter, and coconut). Most Myanmar also enjoys tea. Myanmar tea may be in general strong, sweet and over-milked to foreigners. Myanmar has a wide variety of tropical fruits.

Clothing

Light casual wear preferably cotton is suitable for all year round. 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. Cotton clothing and a light warp for the evenings during the cool season are recommended. 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-shirts in such places. Shoes and socks or stockings must be removed at Pagodas and Monasteries.

Communication

Overseas calls can be made through IDD phones available at Telephone offices and hotels. Internet interactive service is currently not available in Myanmar however e-mail can be available at most hotels in Yangon.

International air services

At present there are no direct air services to Myanmar from Europe. Most travelers come to Yangon daily from Bangkok by several reliable flights offered by Thai Airways International or Myanmar Airways International. Flying time is approximately one hour, Thai Airways International (TG), Silkair (MI), Air China (CA), Biman Bangladash Airline (BG), Malaysia Airline (MH), Mandarin Airline (AE), Myanmar Airways (MAI) and Air Mandalay(6T) schedule flight are available.

Custom's formalities on arrival

Regulations are now generally relaxed for tourists by air in Yangon. Visitors should complete Immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and submit these on arrival. All foreign currencies (in excess of US$-2000), Traveler's Cheque and jewelry, cameras and electronic goods etc must be recorded on the customs form which may be checked on departure. Bringing in or taking out Myanmar currency is prohibited. Gems and jewellery purchased from authorized dealers are allowed to be taken out. Antiques are not allowed to be taken out of the country.

Business Hours

Government Office starts 09:30 hours to 16:30 hours (Closed on Saturday and Sunday)
Private Companies starts 09:30 hours to 17:30 hours (Closed Sunday)
Banks 09:30 to 15:00 hours (Closed on Saturday and Sunday)
Post Office 09:00 hours to 17:00 hours (Closed on Saturday and Sunday)

Restricted Area

Entry by overland is allowed through check Points along Yunan-Myanmar and Thai-Myanmar Borders. Tourists are allowed to enter through Border Check Points at Mu-se, Nam-Khan, Kyu-gok , Lwe-je and Kun-lone from Yunan Province and Tachilek, Myawaddy, Three Pagoda Pass and Kawthaung from Thailand. Package tourist from Yunan province are allowed to travel up to Yangon and tourists from Thailand are allowed up to Kyaing-Tong and from Kyaing-Tong to Jing-hong( Xishaungbana ) in Yangon with a prior approval. 

PERMISSION IS REQUIRED FROM MINISTRY OF HOTELS AND TOURISM

Chin State (Except special travel permit to Mt-Victoria)
Kachin State (Myitkyina/ Putao/ Hopin/ Mohiyin/ Mokaung/ Inn Dawgyi/ Bahmo)
Northern Shan State (Muse/ Namkham/ Kyukoke/ Kutkai/ Kulong from China)
Southern Shan State (From Yat Sauk to Yangon- Mandalay / From Tailand to Tachileik-Wompong)

Time

The Myanmar Standard Time is six and a half-hours in advance of GMT. 30 minute behind Thailand and 1:30 hours behind Singapore and Hong Kong.

Myan Thu Thu Tourism

No.2, Room (3-D), Wayzanyandar Road, Thingangyun Township, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel/Fax: 00951-562779 e-mail: actmv@mptmail.net.mm; actmv@myanmar.com.mm
website: http://www.actmvmyanmar.com