Business & Social The following are some tips on business and social visits that may help you during your stay in Myanmar:

Transcription

1 Travel Tips Business & Social The following are some tips on business and social visits that may help you during your stay in Myanmar: * Appointments should be made in advance and punctuality is appreciated. * Business cards are exchanged after introduction. * For business meetings, men should wear a lightweight suit and tie, while women should wear modest clothes. * It is customary to shake hands on meeting and saying goodbye. When addressing people always use the appropriate prefix and family name. * Many people in Myanmar do not have a first name and last name as in Western countries but instead have several names, often of three or four words. Generally, every name has a meaning; therefore, it is advisable to address a person with their complete name, especially if you are not well-acquainted with them. * It is useful but not essential to have some business cards in Myanmar script. * Many executives in Myanmar speak English. * Visitors should be receptive to local customs and conventions. When sitting cross-legged on sofas or cushions, soles of the feet should not be shown. * Footwear is strictly prohibited in pagodas and monasteries. * Tipping in restaurants and hotels is not required but appreciated (about 5 to 10 percent of the total bill). Tips for taxis are not necessary. * On social occasions such as an invitation to a restaurant, be punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. Climate Myanmar has a tropical climate with three distinct seasons: * Cool season from October to February which is dry and with temperatures ranging from 21ºC to 28ºC. * Hot (dry) season from March to May with average temperatures of between 30ºC and 40ºC. * Rainy (monsoon) season occurs from June to September with average temperatures of between 25ºC and 30ºC and frequent short rainstorms and higher humidity. During the rainy season, Yangon normally receives early morning and afternoon showers while rainfall in Bagan and Mandalay is very low. The weather around Inle Lake and Shan State is pleasant all year round but usually cold at night from December to February. Bagan, Mandalay and Inle Lake are good to visit anytime of the year. Health & Clothing Even though no vaccinations are required for entry to Myanmar, please consult your family physician about immunization requirements, particularly for malaria and hepatitis. You should drink only bottled water and exercise caution when eating from street vendors and at small local restaurants. Cotton clothing and a light wrap for the evenings during the cool season are recommended. Do not wear shorts, tank tops or sleeveless blouses, especially when visiting temples, pagodas and monasteries. Dress modestly at all times; revealing clothing is frowned upon in Myanmar. Footwear must be removed before entering a temple/ pagoda. 56 Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight

2 Travel Tips: Entry Formalities Myanmar Visa A valid passport with a Myanmar Entry Visa is required for all visitors. We advise all foreign visitors to have passports with a validity of at least six months. The entry visa to Myanmar can be obtained from any Myanmar embassy or consulate general offices worldwide. The Myanmar government has two types of visas for foreign visitors: * EVT VISA (Tourist Visa) Single-entry visa for tourist travellers entitling them to a maximum 28-day stay within the country (non-extendable). The cost of this visa is approximately US$20 per person. * BUSINESS VISA Single or multiple-entry visa for travellers who are currently working under contract in Myanmar (extendable). Visa-On-Arrival Regarding visa-on-arrival, pre-arrangements have to be made and is available at Yangon and Mandalay International Airports only. This visa is granted to packaged cruise liner and chartered flight tourists and to foreign independent travellers (FITs) from places where there are no Myanmar representation; through any licensed Myanmar Travel and Tour (MTT) agency or directly by the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism (MHT). For more information on Myanmar visas, please contact the nearest Myanmar embassy or any of our agents. tobacco), two quarts of liquor and 500ml of cologne or perfume. Jewellery and electrical goods must be declared at customs on arrival. Airport Tax Airport tax is US$10 per person and is paid on departure. Airport Transfers Taxis from Yangon International Airport to the downtown area will cost between US$6-8 depending on the destination. Taxi travel within Yangon will cost up to 4,000 to 5,000 kyats, depending on the distance travelled. Please note that very few taxis in Myanmar charge meter rates so it is important to negotiate the fare before entering the taxi. Currency The local currency in Myanmar is the kyat (pronounced chaat ) and is divided into 100 pyas, although these are no longer used. At present the following kyat bank notes are in general use: Ks 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and The US dollar is also widely accepted at the prevailing market rate. Foreign visitors are strongly advised to bring sufficient cash funds in US dollars as credit cards are generally NOT accepted. Traveller s cheques and other foreign currencies are not advisable as they can be difficult and time consuming to change into local currency. Visitors are advised to check with their travel agents or with their hotels directly before arriving in the country. Customs Besides personal effects, visitors are allowed 400 cigarettes (100 cigars or 250grams of unrolled Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight 57

3 Route Map Putao INDIA Myitkyina Bamaw BANG- LADESH Kalay CHINA MANDALAY Taung Taman Lake BAGAN KYAING TONG Mrauk Oo SITTWAY HEHO Inle Lake TACHILEIK LAOS NAYPYITAW Chiang Mai Ngapali THANDWE BAY OF BENGAL YANGON THAILAND DAWEI Domestic Route MYEIK MYEIK ARCHIPELAGO GULF OF THAILAND KAWTHAUNG 58 Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight

4 Map courtesy of Delta Media Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight 59

5 Map of Mandalay 60 Air Mandalay - The Golden Flight Map courtesy of Delta Media