Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar Tours

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar Tours

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar Tours

Visa Information

Myanmar requires a visa for all foreigners visiting the country. It is valid for 28 days starting from the day you enter the country, three months from the date of issue. You can obtain a visa from Myanmar Embassies in the various countries. The international points of entry and exit Myanmar are Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport. Show your passport with valid entry visa, disembarkation card on arrival to the Immigration officer at the International Airport (Yangon or Mandalay). Foreign Independent Travellers (FITs) are required to exchange 200 US$ for Foreign Exchange Certificate (F.E.C) on arrival at the counter of Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB).

Passport

A valid passport with Entry visa is required for all tourists & businessmen, applicable at Myanmar Embassies and Consulate General Offices abroad.

General Information

Myanmar requires a visa for all foreigners visiting the country. It is valid for 28 days starting from the day you enter the country, three months from the date of issue. You can obtain a visa from Myanmar Embassies in the various countries. The international points of entry and exit in Myanmar are Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport.

A valid passport with Entry Visa is required of all visitors.

A tourist visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days.

A business visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible up to 12 months on a case by case basis.

Visa on arrival is granted to both FITs and Package Tourists with the assistance of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

Overland entry is permitted to Thai tourists with border pass and for third country tourists with visa at Tachileik, Three Pagoda pass, Myawaddy and Kawthaung check points along Myanmar-Thai Border; and Chinese tourists with border pass and third country tourists with visa at Lweje, Nam Kham, Muse, Kyukoke, Kwanlong, Mong Lar Myanmar-China Border along.

Show your passport with valid entry visa, disembarkation card on arrival to the Immigration officer at the International Airport (Yangon or Mandalay).

Foreign Independent Travellers (FITs) are required to exchange 200 US$ for Foreign Exchange Certificate (F.E.C) on arrival at the counter of Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB).

Types of Visa

Tourist Visa – a single-entry visa for tourists.

 Requirements

This is a 100% online process. No documents are required to be sent or mailed.

Digital requirements
A JPEG format file of a recently taken photo of you. Please keep the image’s dimensions smaller than 150 pixels in width, and 150 pixels in height.

Visa Fees

Tourist Visa – US$20 + US$10.0 (processing charge) per application.

Validity & Length

The length of stay (and validity of visa). You must enter before the expiration of the visa. Tourist Visa – 28 days (valid for 90 days).

 Who needs to apply?

Diplomatic and Official passport holders from ASEAN countries, the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation do not need to apply visa as agreed by the existing bilateral consular agreements. The rest are required to apply visa.

Valid Port of Entry

Currently, entry into the Union of Myanmar for visitors with valid online-approved visas is limited to 2 ports – Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport.

Visa Online

“Visa Online” is a web-based entry visa application service. The website allows visitors to the Union of Myanmar to apply for their entry visas online, right from their home or work without having to appear at a consulate in person. Below is the step-by-step guide to applying for an entry visa online, and what to do after it’s been approved.
 

Visa on Arrival

When you plan to visit Myanmar, first of all, you should contact your tour operators for visas and other necessary matters. Some tour operators can provide you with Visa On Arrival (VOA). Before applying for VOA, one should submit the following requirements to the tour operator about 2 months before arrival to Myanmar.

Requirements
1. A complete personal information form, available online.
2. A clearly scanned photo of the applicant.
3. A clear photo copy of the applicant’s passport.
4. Arrival details and description of the visitor’s desired trip.

Procedures
1. Once theses needs are met, your tour operator will carry out the rest of the procedures such as sending required information to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism. When approved from the Ministry, your tour operator will inform you and will send you the authorization letter from the authority via fax or email.

2. Finally, when you come to Myanmar, you will need 3 photos and a copy of the authorization letter that was sent to you by your tour operator.
3. Upon arrival at the airport, your tour operator will come to collect you and assist you with filling out the necessary forms to submit to the Immigration.
4. Visa on Arrival fees is US$ 20 per person and to be settled at the Immigration Department at the port’s arrival lounge.

Types of Visa

A Tourist Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible for an additional 14 days.
A Business Visa allows a stay of 28 days, extendible up to 12 months on a case by case basis.
Visa on Arrival is granted to both FTSs and Package Tourists on prior arrangement with the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism.

Customs

Foreign currencies in excess of U.S $2,000, jewelry, camera, video camera and electronic goods should be declared at the customs’ counter at the airport on arrival. 2 litres of liquor, 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars and 500 millilitres of perfume are allowed to be brought into Myanmar by travellers.

Health and Insurance

Health officials require certification of immunization against cholera, and against yellow fever if you have arrived within nine days after leaving or transiting an affected area. Proof of smallpox vaccination is no longer required. There are several hospitals and clinics in Yangon, some of which are under the Ministry of Health and some are privately owned. There is a wide range of variety in quality, expertise, expenses and services offered. The Pun Hlaing International Hospital is the first international hospital in Myanmar.

Currency

Foreign Currency

Foreigners are recommended to bring US Dollars into Myanmar because they are easily exchangeable for Foreign Exchange Certificate (FEC) at authorised money changers, who can also exchange directly into Kyat. Euros may also be exchanged into FEC at authorised money changer. Please be warned that torn, dirty and stained notes might not be able to accepted.

Credit Cards

Only a few restaurants and hotels accept Credit cards, and the service charges may vary from 20 to 40 percent.

Myanmar Currency

Myanmar currency is known as ” Kyat ” which comprises 100 pyas.

Denomination

Notes : Kyat 1000, Kyat 500, Kyat 200, Kyat 100, Kyat 90, Kyat 50, Kyat 45, Kyat 20, Kyat 15, Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1. Coins : Kyat 100, Kyat 50, Kyat 10, Kyat 5, Kyat 1, Pya 50, Pya 25, Pya 10, Pya 5, Pya 1.

Visitors can change their dollars into FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificate which is equal to US Dollars), and then can change their FEC legally into Kyat at the real market rate at licensed money changer shops.

Travellers checks are NOT normally accepted and are difficult to transact. Travellers are advised to bring US Dollars in cash (small denomination notes). British Pounds, French Frances, German Deutsh Marks and other currencies are difficult to change. Bring US Dollars cash.

Electricity

When you plan to bring some electronic devices, make sure that these work with our Domestic power A.C 220 – 250V 50Hz. The Power Line is 440V.

 Mobile Phone

Please be noted that Mobile Phones from other countries will not work in Myanmar.

 Vaccination

Most traveler will need vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and polio, as well as medications for malaria prophylaxis and travelers’ diarrhea. Other immunizations may be necessary depending upon the circumstances of the trip and the medical history of the traveler. Insect repellents are recommended, in conjunction with other measures to prevent mosquito bites. All travelers should visit their personal physician 4-8 weeks before your trip. The sun can be remarkably hot and a hat and high-factor block cream is advisable.

Public Holidays (2008)

 What to Wear

• Light, casual cotton wear because of hot weather
• A cardigan or light jerkin, when visiting northern Myanmar in the cold season
• An umbrella during the rainy season
• Sandals or slippers
• Quick drying clothes are recommended if you visit during the rainy season or Thingyan
• The dress code for pagodas and monasteries prescribe decent apparel, no footwear is allowed when visiting pagodas and monasteries.

What to Bring

• Insect repellent
• Sun block, sunglasses, hat, umbrella
• Personal medical kit

Note : Most of the necessary goods are available at supermarkets and nearby stores.

Airport Facilities

Yangon : Yangon International Airport is located 20 km from downtown Yangon. The Arrival Terminal is located separately from the Departure Terminal and the Domestic Terminal and simplified procedures ensure that on arrival and departure, international passengers are processed quickly through immigration and customs. The Yangon International Airport works 24 hours daily.

Mandalay : Mandalay International Airport is located in the centre of Myanmar about 35km outside Mandalay, the country’s second largest city. It takes approximately 1hr to get from the airport to the centre of the city. It is a modern airport with six passenger boarding bridges and three of them can handle modern Boeing 747-400 planes.

Limousine Service

A Limousine Service Counter is located in the Arrival Hall. Major hotels provide transfer services; and taxis are also available. Passengers are advised not to use the services of touts for taxi or other services.

Business Hours

• Government Offices 09:30 to 16:30 hrs. – Weekdays Mon. to Fri.
• Banks 10:30 to 14:00 hrs. – Weekdays Mon. to Fri.
• Shops 10:00 to 21:00 hrs. – Mon. through Sat, some open on Sunday too

Driving

International Driving Permit required which must be presented to the authorities to endorse or issue a Visitor license.

Media

Newspaper – Three morning newspapers Myanmar Ah Lin and Kye mon in Myanmar and The New Light of Myanmar in English are published in Yangon and The Yadanabon News in Myanmar is published in Mandalay. Myanmar Times Journal (English Version) is distributed every Monday, and the Myanmar Version is distributed ever Friday. Both journals are published in Yangon. The locally published magazines in English; Golden Myanmar, Myanmar Chronicle, and Myanmar Perspective, are available in bookshops. Foreign newspapers such International Herald Tribune, as Singapore Straits Times. and some foreign magazines and periodicals are available at In-wa (Ava) Bookshop, No.232, Sule Pagoda Road.

Radio – Radio Myanmar broadcasts English on the following schedule: 8:30 am to 9:00am 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm; and 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm. The new City FM broadcasts from 08:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M., and from 13:00 P.M. to 17:00 P.M. daily, starting from January 1, 2002.

Television – There are two local TV channels: TV Myanmar and Myawaddy with programs running from 7 am to 4 am; and from 4 pm to 11 pm. Most hotels also have satellite TV. Myawaddy was started on the 27th March, 1995. The average broadcasting hours is about 8 hours per day when it started. But now.

MRTV 3 – English programs are telecast for viewers in Myanmar from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. The transmission hours for viewers from abroad are from 13:00 A.M. to 14:00 A.M., 18:00 P.M. to 19:00 P.M., and from 02:00 A.M. to 04:00 A.M. It is an English channel for oversea audience. It can be received from 126 countries and is transmitted from Thaicom-3 C Band Global beam. In addition, the Ministry have also broadcast the MRTV3 programs pm the Internet using web based video streaming system via the gateway of Myanma Posts and Telecommunications. It can be accessed on Internet through http://www.mrtv3.net.mm web site.

MRTV 4 – It was launched on (15-5-2004) like a streaming video via satellite. MRTV 4 contains non-formal education programs and other entertainment programs. But for receiving, it can be matched by MMBox (Myanmar Media Box). This transmission contains educational programs from Ministries, Myanmar movies, English movies with Myanmar subtitles, cartoon programs and other entertainment programs. The transmission time is from 7 am to 11pm daily. For more quality and convenience, MRTV 4 will soon be broadcasting with Digital Video Broadcasting Technology (DVBT) terrestrial system.

Domestic Traveling

Domestic Flights

The main tourist centers are located at a distance from Yangon, and it is convenient for visitors to travel by domestic flights. Myanmar Airways, Air Mandalay and Yangon Airways operate flights of major tourist sites including Mandalay, Bagan, Heho, Thandwe, Myitkyina, Tachileik and Kawthaung.

Rail Service

Yangon-Mandalay is the main rail link with four express trains running daily between Yangon and Mandalay. Furnished coaches (Cherry and Padauk) for a group of 4 or 8 persons are available. From Thazi on the Yangon-Mandalay line, a branch line runs to Shwenyaung (the nearest station to Inlay Lake) and to Taunggyi.

From Mandalay, there are rail services to Pyin Oo Lwin, Lashio, Monywa and Bagan. There is also a rail service from Yangon to Bagan which operate on alternate days.

• Dagon-man 01-277503
• Station Enquiry 01-274027
• Malikha-Mandalar 02-21385
• San Thaw Tar 01-221460
• Goods Train 01-222700

Road Transport

Most tourist sites are also accessible by road. There are 12 Highway Bus services running between Yangon and Mandalay using air-conditioned coaches. Traveling time is about 14 hours with brief stop – overs at Taungoo and Pyinmana. Limousine taxis and mini-buses are available in Yangon for sightseeing and up country tours.

Inland Waterways

Myanmar has many rivers and a large delta in which the Inland Water Transport operates a huge fleet of double and triple-decker boats. There is a regular service between Bhamaw and Mandalay and between Mandalay and Pyay (Prome) via Bagan.

Medical Treatment

If any tourist gets sick inspite of all the precautions, many hospitals can cater for foreigners medical needs. Some are as follows :

• SOS AssistanceInya Lake Hotel, 37 Kaba Aye Pagoda RoadTel : (95-1) 667877, 667879
• Kandawgyi ClinicNatmauk RoadTel : (95-1) 530083
• Pacific Medical Centre & Dental Surgery81, Kaba Aye Pagoda RoadTel : (95-1) 548022

Car Rental

• MT & K TourismCorner of Yodaya St & Pyay Road, Mayangone Tsp, YangonTel : (95-1) 663161, 666220
• Myanmar Airport Limousine Services Co., Ltd.15, Dhammayone St, Hlaing  Tsp, YangonTel : (95-1) 524993, 530430
• Khine Thazin Tours & Travels Co., LtdNo. 59, Room 28, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Mayangone Township, Yangon, MyanmarGPO Box: 791 Tel: (+951) 663796 / 707003 / 700442

Ticket Confirmation

Make sure that you check your air ticket confirmation with respective airlines before you leave. Domestic, International and Offline air ticket centers are available in Yangon and can be communicated very easily. You can also check with your respective travel agents, so that they can arrange for your holiday in Myanmar as well as check up on your flight schedules.
For further information you can view in the Airline Offices.

Customs

Gems and jewelry purchased from authorized dealers (with vouchers) are allowed to be taken out. But antiques are not allowed to be taken out of the country.

The following items are illegal to take out of the country:

• Prehistoric implements and artifacts
• Fossils
• Old coins
• Inscribed stones
• Historical documents

 Airport Tax

The airport tax is US $10 for international passengers, payable in FEC (Foreign Exchange Certificates). There is no airport tax on domestic flights.

Duty Free Shopping

Duty Free shopping facilities are available in both the Departure and Arrival Halls of Yangon International Airport.

Bank

If you have any bank transactions to make before leaving, here are some of the local and international bank listings.

Local Banks

• First Private Bank Ltd.619-621, cor of Bo Soon Pat St & Merchant St, Pabedan Tsp, YangonTel : 251747, 252412, Fax : 250148, 247320
• KBZ Bank Ltd.Blg B, Rm-01, 06, 07 Lanmadaw St, Lanmadaw Plaza, Lanmadaw Tsp, YangonTel : 212763
• Myanmar Oriental Bank (M.O.B)166-168, Pansodan St, Kyauktada Tsp, YangonTel : 246594-96, Fax : 251845
• Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank80-86, Maha Bandoola Garden St, Kyauktada Tsp, YangonTel : 284911, Fax : 289585
• Yoma Bank Ltd380, Rm-3, FMI Center, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp, YangonTel : 240400, 240365

International Banks

• Standard Chatered Bank FMI Centre380, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Bogyoke Aung San Rd, Pabedan Tsp, YangonTel: 240260, 240400, Fax : 240261
• Sumitomo Mitsui Bank Corporation(Yangon Representative Office)Rm-717-718, Traders Hotel, No. 233, Sule Pagoda Rd, Pabedan Tsp, YangonTel : 242929 ext 7718, Fax : 381227