HOLIDAYS have always been an important part of life – they
provide us with vital time away from the pressures of our day-to-day
working lives and allow us time to spend with those most important
to us – our families.
But there are a number of important points to remember when
it comes to planning your holidays to ensure that you don’t
suffer any health problems or have misunderstandings with other
people, especially on cultural grounds.
Because every country and region has its own customs and cultures,
it’s important to plan future trips with this in mind, more
so when you’re going abroad because what might be acceptable
in one country might see you jailed in another.
Here are some travelling tips to consider so that your holiday
is memorable for all the right reasons.
Customs
Foreign currencies valued above US$2000, jewellery and electrical
goods must be declared to the customs at the airport. Also, 2
litres of liquor, 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars and 500 millilitres
of perfume are allowed to be brought into Myanmar by travellers.
Currencies
Foreigners are recommended to bring US dollars into Myanmar because
they are easily exchangeable for Foreign Exchange Certificates
(FEC) at authorised money changers, who can also exchange directly
into kyat. Euros may also be exchanged into FEC at authorised
money changers but it’s better for visitors to bring US
dollars – they are easier to use. Please be warned that
torn, dirty and/or stained notes, especially large denominations,
might not be accepted.
Credit Card
As a general rule it’s safe to assume that credit cards
do not work in Myanmar because only a few upscale hotels, restaurants
and shops countrywide will actually allow visitors to use them.
And even these charge between 20 and 40 percent service charges
so it’s wise for foreigners to bring sufficient cash to
cover their trip.
Mobile Phones
Please note that mobile phones from other countries will not operate
in Myanmar.
Business hours
Government offices are open from 9:30am to 4:30pm and banks from
10:30am to 2:00pm from Monday to Friday but are closed Saturdays,
Sundays and all public holidays – of which there are many.
Airport Departure Tax
International travellers departing Myanmar must pay a departure
tax of US$10.
Shopping
Government travel advisories strongly recommend that anyone wishing
to buy gems and jewellery from Myanmar should visit government-recognised
dealers and request a receipt voucher for exports. Travellers
will need to bargain to get the best prices.
When travelling around the Golden Land, as Myanmar is known,
here are some do’s and don’ts to ensure you stay healthy
and have a great time.
Eating
Do: Eat only in good, clean-looking restaurants for hygiene reasons.
And drink only unopened bottled water and soft-drinks.
Don’t: Eat foods from roadside vendors, however tasty
they look. Don’t drink the tap water. Some restaurants in
Myanmar use Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in food preparation, which
causes health problems for some people. If you are one of these
tell the waiter to make sure none is added to your food. In reality
this is not so simple but far easier at restaurants that cater
to foreigners.
Manners
Do: Accept or give things with your right hand or both hands.
Please note that shaking hands is not always necessary, especially
with women.
Remember to remove your footwear when visiting pagodas and monasteries
and do not smoke tobacco or drink alcohol there. Treat Buddha
images with respect. International travellers should show respect
to elders, monks, nuns and novices. Sit lower than monks and elders
when meeting with them.
Don’t: Kiss and show overt affection in public. Don’t
touch head of an adult as Myanmar people think head is a valued
part of a body. Don’t try to step over any part of a person
as Myanmar people consider this rude. Don’t wear shoes inside
when visiting a Myanmar home as people do not wear shoes in their
homes. Don’t shake hands with monks, nuns and novices. Don’t
offer food to monks and nuns after mid-day as it is prohibited
by Buddhism. Don’t touch a monk if you’re woman.
Clothing
Do: Try to wear with respect for the Myanmar culture. Wear walking
shoes, sandals and flip-flops which are easily removed. As Myanmar
has hot and humid weather, cotton clothing is highly recommended.
Hats, sun glasses and sun screen should be on any equipment list
for Myanmar.
Don’t: International travellers, especially women, should
avoid shorts, mini-skirts and other scanty clothes that reveal
the legs, mid-riff or breasts when visiting religious places.
Health
Do: Please bring with you all medications that you regularly use
and don’t forget to bring mosquito repellent too.
Don’t: Please stay away from all recreational drugs in
Myanmar because they are illegal.
For more information please visit www.myanmartourismservices.com
or www.myanmar-tourism.com
