The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Burma at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to areas of civil unrest and armed conflict. The State Department advises against travel to certain areas and encourages visitors to reconsider travel to others. Please see the Travel Advisory for an extensive list of these higher risk areas.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

The U.S. Embassy in Rangoon does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizen Services (ACS) unit cannot recommend a particular individual or establishment and assumes no responsibility for the quality of services provided.

Review OSAC’s Burma website for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password.

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Crime Threats

There is minimal risk from crime in Rangoon. Although the police do not issue crime or arrest statistics, the rising cost of living, increasing expatriate presence, and rapidly expanding tourism sector appear to have led to an uptick in crime. In Rangoon, Burmese nationals experience nighttime robbery, petty street crime, home invasion, and homicide at rates similar to other major cities in Southeast Asia. Many reports of crime are unverifiable due to third-party sources that are difficult to corroborate.

The most common crimes reported by expatriates are non-violent crimes of opportunity such as pickpocketing, theft of unattended possessions in public places, and bag snatchings. Exercise the same level of caution you would in any major city in the U.S.

Travel in groups or with a partner, particularly at night. Maintain control of personal items when in public areas, and move away from anyone who you believe is acting suspiciously. Thieves often attempt to distract victims by asking questions, begging for money, selling items, or bumping/jostling them. Walk with a purpose to your destination. Do not give the impression of being lost or wandering aimlessly.

Incidents of financial fraud are increasing. Burma is still largely a cash-only society. This is changing, as more stores, hotels, and restaurants catering to tourists begin to accept credit cards as a form of payment. At present, however, travelers must often carry large sums of local currency. Avoid flashing large sums of currency in public.

Avoid responding to unsolicited opportunities to make money, including business opportunities that seem too good to be true. Beware of merchants selling gems, gold, and/or semi-precious stones; the purchase of these items could result in substantial loss of money and/or a violation of local laws. Do not purchase gems or minerals from an unlicensed source.

Violent crime and the use of weapons in the commission of crimes are not common. In the event of an armed confrontation, immediately hand over the desired property to avoid escalation or injury.

There was a reported increase in residential robberies in Bahan Township, Yangon. The majority of incidents appear to have been crimes of opportunity, in which thieves entered homes through unlocked gates and doors. The thieves took valuables, including cash and cell phones, before fleeing the scene. Proper use of door gates and locks would likely have prevented these crimes.

Supervise all workers in your residence. Doors and windows of residences and hotel rooms should remain secured. Do not store valuable items and large amounts of currency at home; they may attract the attention of criminals.

Other Areas of Concern

Internal ethnic conflicts, communal violence, and religious tensions make certain areas outside of Rangoon off-limits for Embassy personnel. Consult the State Department’s Burma Travel Advisory for the latest travel guidance. You must obtain permission to visit sensitive areas from the Burmese government prior to travel. Foreigners travelling overland outside of Rangoon or other major cities/tourist destinations may experience problems without a Burmese interpreter to facilitate interaction with non-English speakers.

Transportation-Safety Situation

Road Safety and Road Conditions

Although major thoroughfares (e.g. the Rangoon-Mandalay highway) have received government attention and undergone safety improvements by the international community, many roads throughout Burma are in poor condition and/or may be impassable after heavy rains. Many roads lack pavement, lighting, shoulders, and/or grading. Driving under these conditions has led to an increase in fatalities, particularly on highways. U.S. Embassy personnel may not drive outside of major cities after dark.

The monsoon season (May-October) presents additional transportation and logistics challenges – such as mud, deep potholes, flooding, and near-zero visibility at times – that may hamper the ability to drive safely. Drivers should familiarize themselves with flood-prone areas and travel in high-clearance 4WD vehicles. Inclement weather may add several hours to estimated travel time. Only travel during daylight hours using road worthy-vehicles. Those driving to remote areas should consider using redundant vehicles and carrying all necessary equipment to perform a vehicle recovery in the event a vehicle becomes stuck or breaks down.

Vehicle import restrictions have eased, causing the number of vehicles on Rangoon’s streets to increase in recent years. Narrow streets congested with vehicles, pedestrians, and animals; poor road maintenance; and inadequate traffic infrastructure can result in difficult daily commutes. Many motorists are new to driving. Drivers are often impatient and exhibit little consideration for pedestrians, other motorists’ right-of-way, or general safe driving practices. Drivers routinely cross into oncoming traffic to pass, pull into traffic without looking, fail to merge properly, and cut other vehicles off. Many vehicle accidents occur due to the erratic behavior of local drivers. Exercise caution when driving.

Pedestrians tend to walk in the middle of roads or stand on painted lane dividers, often only inches from passing vehicles, seemingly unaware of the potential safety hazard. Many pedestrians wear dark clothing, and local drivers tend to use high beams at night (or no headlights at all), posing additional risks to other motorists and pedestrians. In 2017, a U.S. citizen attempting an ill-advised crossing of a busy road at night died after being struck by a passing motorist. Another U.S citizen pedestrian sustained serious injuries after being struck by a driver making an illegal turn. Pedestrians should maintain a high degree of situational awareness and not assume they have the right of way.

By law, authorities permit no alcohol in one’s system while operating a vehicle. Nevertheless, drunk or drug-impaired driving is a major concern and poses a significant risk to visitors at night.

Outside of Rangoon, drivers also have to contend with ubiquitous motorbikes, which often lack proper signals and safety gear; give them a wide berth. Always keep adequate space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you to ensure adequate stopping distance. Bicycling can also be hazardous due to poor road condition and erratic drivers. Be aware of what is taking place outside of the vehicle. It is common for beggars and street vendors to approach vehicles at stoplights. Always keep your windows up and your doors locked. Always park in secure, well-lighted locations. Do not hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report Driving Overseas: Best Practices.

Public Transportation Conditions

Public transportation (e.g. taxis, bus, and rail) is readily available in Rangoon and some parts of the country. Most trains and buses are overcrowded; others are old and in poor condition, frequently causing them to break down. The U.S. Embassy advises its employees not to use buses or trains.

In Rangoon, taxis are a more reliable method of transportation. They are generally safe, but many are in poor condition and/or lack seatbelts. Take particular care when taking taxis late at night. To avoid confrontation or overcharging, negotiate rates with the driver prior to departure. Identify if the driver seems impaired due to drinking or drugs. When in doubt, hail another taxi. For more information, review OSAC’s Report, Security in Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.

Aviation/Airport Conditions

In December 2018, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration audit assessed that Burma is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization safety standards. However, safety records of Burma’s commercial air carriers are not readily available, and there is little information available regarding government oversight of commercial aviation. Passenger screening remains below international standards.

Other Travel Conditions

Fuel stations and police assistance are limited outside of Rangoon and other major towns/cities; motorists should plan accordingly.

Terrorism Threat

Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns

There is moderate risk from terrorism in Rangoon. The government is sensitive to the threat of terrorism, and engages with international partners on this issue. There is no evidence to suggest that terrorist organizations have operational capacity in Burma. The government is not a state sponsor of terrorist activities, and does not knowingly allow foreign fighters to transit the country. However, terrorists can target Westerners anywhere in the world. Consider that any large public gatherings could become attractive targets for terrorists. While both Al-Qa’ida in the Indian Sub-Continent (AQIS) and the Islamic State in the Philippines (ISIS-P) have threatened to launch attacks in Burma in response to the Rakhine crisis, those threats are largely aspirational.

Burma has hosted numerous recent large public events, including a Papal visit, the Pan-Asia Games, and an Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, all of which took place without major security incidents.

Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence

There is low risk from civil unrest in Rangoon. However, there is a relatively higher risk of political violence in other parts of the country. This political violence is limited primarily to states along the border. Fighting between the Burmese military and various ethnic armed groups (EAGs) and militia forces continues in several border regions, including parts of Kachin, Shan, Rakhine, and Chin states. Exercise caution when traveling to these areas. The destinations most U.S. citizen visitors frequent, including Yangon, Bagan, Kalaw-Inle Lake region, Ngapali Beach, Naypyitaw, and Mandalay, are not involved in this fighting.

Burma has one of the world’s longest-running internal armed conflicts, between the ethnic-Bamar dominated central government and nearly two dozen EAGs. These conflicts are rooted in political grievances and ethnic minorities’ desire for greater rights and protections; the EAGs also clash with the government and with each other over territory and resources. In 2015, ten EAGs signed a ceasefire agreement with the government, but some armed conflict continues in parts of Kachin, Shan, Rakhine, and Chin States. This conflict is often sporadic in nature and tends to spike during dry season (November through February). Avoid traveling in border areas where armed conflict has occurred or is occurring. The EAGs have not shown any desire to target U.S. interests.

Burma held historic national elections in 2015. No civil unrest or political violence occurred during the elections. There remains a bifurcated system of authority, where the civilian government does not have oversight or control of the military or the security services. Leading up to the November 2020 general elections, there is a possibility of localized intercommunal tension or violence.

Intercommunal conflicts, public demonstrations, and outbursts of violence may challenge U.S. private-sector organizations and could jeopardize U.S. investments and operations, even if they are not direct targets. Avoid large crowds, demonstrations, and political activity, and maintain a high level of situational awareness. Be careful about messages posted on social media; statements supporting one political cause or another could create a serious online backlash that could have real consequences outside of the social media sphere.

In Burma, protests are not uncommon. The government has arrested protestors for contravening the Peaceful Assembly Act by protesting without permission. Although public protests – often in response to human rights violations or interethnic tensions, or to support religious freedom, education, and labor rights – are normally peaceful, spontaneous violence may occur.

In February 2019, police injured 21 protestors when using rubber bullets and water cannons to break up a protest of Karenni people in Loikaw, Kayah State. In May 2018, police forcibly broke up an anti-war protest and arrested several protestors for disturbing the peace and for protesting without a permit. In January 2018, police fired upon protesters in Mrauk-U, north-central Rakhine State killing nine people and injuring 19 others. The crowd was protesting the cancellation of an Arakan festival.

Religious/Ethnic Violence

Burma has 135 officially recognized ethnic groups. While Burma’s ethnic diversity is a source of national pride, it has also suffered from a long history of ethnic and sectarian conflicts. Most ethnic-based violence is the result of fighting between the Myanmar military and EAGs or between different EAGs in Kachin, Shan, Rakhine, and Chin States.

Intercommunal tension remains high in Rakhine State between the ethnic Rakhine and the Rohingya, a group that is not one of the officially recognized ethnic groups and which many in Burma view as illegal immigrants. As the Rakhine are Buddhist and the Rohingya Muslim, this conflict sometimes takes on a religious dimension, but the Rakhine also deeply resent the perceived oppression by their Bamar co-religionists who run the central government. Because the government does not recognize Rohingya as a minority, they must undergo verification to receive Burmese citizenship, and are often unable to obtain identification cards or travel documents. In addition, they face abuse, institutionalized discrimination, and restrictions on freedom of movement, as well as a lack of access to education, livelihoods, and basic services. As a result, many have fled to Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia. The ARSA attacks in 2017 and the military operations that followed led over 700,000 Rohingya refugees out of an estimated population of 1.1 million to flee into Bangladesh. The governments of Bangladesh and Burma continue to work on a repatriation process, but progress has been slow. The situation is now more complicated by the ongoing conflict between the military and the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic Rakhine EAG. Fighting has spread across central/ northern Rakhine, and southern Chin States. Tensions remain high.

Post-Specific Concerns

Environmental Hazards

During the monsoon season (May-October), street flooding is pervasive throughout southern Burma. Low-lying villages are susceptible to floods, resulting in food shortages and other health concerns. Rangoon lacks the drainage infrastructure to accommodate storm water runoff. As a result, low-lying parts of Rangoon including major vehicle thoroughfares suffer from flash flooding. A prolonged monsoon season in 2017 led to one of the worst outbreaks of dengue fever in recent history. Additionally, heavy rains can down power lines, creating an electrocution hazard. Avoid areas where power lines are down.

Burma is prone to cyclones during two seasons, which peak in May and November. These violent storms can overwhelm already weak infrastructure, causing widespread destruction. In 2010, Cyclone Giri caused severe destruction and several deaths in Rakhine state. In 2008, Cyclone Nargis caused extensive flooding and damage in the Irrawaddy Delta region and led to thousands of deaths; in Rangoon, it severely damaged transportation, communication, and electrical systems.

Major earthquake fault lines are also present; consider them when developing contingency plans. Areas of Yangon and Bago experienced an earthquake in January 2018 that registered a magnitude of 6.0.

Critical Infrastructure

The former military junta chronically mismanaged the economy and failed to invest in critical infrastructure projects, allowing the country’s transit infrastructure, electrical grid, tele-communications network, and tourism facilities to fall into disrepair. Burma’s infrastructure is substandard compared to regional neighbors, and will require significant investment and years of updating. An old, inadequate electrical power grid is one of the biggest challenges, causing frequent blackouts, even in major urban centers, as demand continues to outpace supply.

Burma’s telecommunications and Internet infrastructure is substandard in rural areas, but is standard in major cities and continues to grow and expand throughout the country. Travelers may not have access to cellular networks and should consider redundant/alternative forms of communication, especially outside the major cities.

Economic Concerns

According to Transparency International’s 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, Burma improved its global ranking from 156 in 2016 to 132 in 2018. However, corruption remains a serious barrier to commerce and investment, and permeates the government and economy. U.S. companies may find competitors are able to obtain an advantage when proposing or bidding on projects, although the government has taken clear steps to improve the transparency and evaluation of major tenders and to tackle official corruption. U.S. companies generally find that government officials and businesspeople are less likely to seek or expect “facilitation payments” or other gifts than elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

U.S. firms consider the lack of clarity surrounding commercial laws and regulations, and the lack of adequate infrastructure (especially reliable electricity) to be the most serious impediments to doing business. A non-transparent and protectionist import permit system often blocks imports, particularly for agricultural products. A bright spot is that the government has focused on drafting and passing commercial laws, including the 2016 Investment Law and the 2017 Companies Act.

The limitations of rule of law are an impediment for U.S. private-sector organizations. The judicial system is archaic, and decisions are often made through personal relationships or bribes. Burma suffers from an antiquated legal system and outdated legislation; many laws are vague and often subject to manipulation. According to the 2019 World Bank Doing Business report, Burma ranked number 20^th out of 25 in the East Asia and Pacific Region for starting a new business in the Ease of Doing Business Report, last for protecting minority investors, and 24^th out of 25 for enforcing contracts. The country has introduced reforms, including a 2014 decision to reduce the corporate income tax rate.

Privacy Concerns

Government interest in the activities of foreigners persists. Visitors conducting sensitive political or commercial business should assume the government monitors their actions, especially in public places. Because the government controls the country’s telephone network and Internet providers, it can intercept calls and emails. Depending upon the government’s level of interest, it may employ overt surveillance. U.S. private-sector organizations should be aware that the “no expectation of privacy” policy could make the discussion of proprietary information and sensitive information difficult. Protect all financial and personal information. Do not discuss travel plans or other business in an open venue. Be alert to any unusual surveillance or activity near the places you frequently visit. Vary your routes and times.

Personal Identity Concerns

Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and punishable by a prison term of ten years to life. However, several officially sanctioned Pride events have occurred in Rangoon without ill effect.

Police Response

While Burmese may view foreigners as wealthy, there continues to be a perception that police investigate crimes against U.S. travelers and other Westerners more thoroughly, and punish perpetrators more rigorously. This belief has been reinforced with the government’s establishment of a Tourist Police unit in 2013, a 2015 decision to reinforce and strengthen that unit, and installation of billboards directing nationals to “warmly welcome” and “take care” of foreigners. In 2017, a vehicle struck and severely injured a U.S. government employee. Tourist Police were the first on the scene and, at the victim’s request, rushed the man to a medical facility.

Police capability, responsiveness, and professionalism is substandard compared to that in the U.S. Police units are often under-funded, under-staffed, poorly equipped or trained, and suffer from limited resources and corruption. Many crimes go unreported or are not fully investigated. Lack of adequate transportation is often cited as an excuse for slow response. Few police officers speak English.

Always ask permission before taking a photograph. Local citizens may request a small fee for taking a picture of them or their surroundings. Do not photograph government buildings, embassies, military installations, airports, harbors, or other locations or items of a possible security or intelligence interest; cameras may be confiscated. For more information, review OSAC’s Report Picture This: Dos and Don’ts for Photography.

Importing unmanned aerial systems (drones) without prior government permission and flying them in sensitive areas can result in criminal penalties, including jail time and the permanent confiscation of the drone. Sensitive areas include government buildings, famous tourist sites, and religious buildings. However, it is not always clear what constitutes a sensitive area making all recreational use of drones inadvisable. Authorities have recently detained several foreigners, including a U.S. citizen, for flying drones in sensitive locations. If you wish to bring a drone to Burma, seek official permission from the Burmese government.

How to Handle Incidents of Police Detention or Harassment

Enforcement of traffic regulations is often haphazard or a means to solicit bribes. Police will often signal motorists to pull over for a donation or “tea money.” Low pay and low morale create an environment in which even bribes of a few dollars can make allegations disappear. Do not pay bribes, comply with requests for a gift, or pay on-the-spot fines.

If an officer persists, comply with instructions, identify yourself as a U.S. citizen, and obtain the officer’s name and badge number. Politely ask to speak with a supervisor and/or request to be taken to police headquarters for further processing. Police must notify the Embassy when arresting or detaining a U.S. citizen; however, delayed notifications are common. If arrested, assert this right and request to speak with a representative from the U.S. Embassy by calling (95)-1-536-509.

Crime Victim Assistance

Central police (Rangoon and Mandalay): 199

Fire emergency: 191 or 192

Tourist police: 01-378-479 (Rangoon); 09-448-539-507 (Mandalay)

The U.S. Embassy maintains a liaison with local law enforcement officials and is available to assist U.S. citizens during emergencies.

Medical Emergencies

Medical facilities in Burma fall critically short of Western standards; there are no 911-equivalent ambulance services available. Trauma care is extremely limited; only use local hospitals in the event of an extreme medical emergency requiring immediate attention. Many primary health care workers, especially in rural areas, lack adequate professional training. Instances of misdiagnosis, improper treatment, and the administration of improper drugs have been reported. Quality, comprehensive medical services are very limited in Rangoon, and are almost nonexistent for all but the most minor treatment in other parts of the country. Medicines are in short supply and may be counterfeit products of questionable quality. Due to inadequate diagnostic equipment, lack of medical resources, and limited medical specialty personnel, complex diagnosis and treatment are unavailable.

All visitors traveling to Burma should have current vaccinations prior to arrival. For current advice on vaccinations, consult the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) website.

Visitors should bring their own supply of medications as the quality of medications in Burma is inconsistent, and counterfeit drugs remain a problem. Commonly needed medications, such as over-the-counter medication, antibiotics, allergy remedies, or malaria prophylaxis, are limited or non-existent.  

Although it is gradually changing, Burma remains largely a cash-based society. The SOS clinic, and Victoria hospital accept credit cards, but most health care facilities in Burma require patients to pay cash before receiving medical services. Foreigners may receive a higher rate than local residents for most medical services.

Contact Information for Available Medical Services

For a list of available medical facilities, refer to the Embassy’s Medical Assistance website.

Available Air Ambulance Services

There is no dedicated medical air ambulance or helicopter in Myanmar. Expect delays; air medical transportation requires diplomatic approval, and most flights come from and return to Bangkok or Singapore. Flights may only be able to enter or exit through the larger international airports. Arrange for medevac needs at SOS Clinic, Samitivej International clinic at Parami, Global Care, or LEO at Victoria Hospital, and through the major Bangkok hospitals.

Insurance Guidance

Purchase medevac insurance in case of a serious accident, injury, or illness. Medevac can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the situation; all travelers should ensure their policies provide sufficient coverage. If you are traveling with a group, ensure your fellow travelers know that you carry travelers insurance, and know where to find the insurance information if you are unconscious.

Country-specific Vaccination and Health Guidance

See a physician prior to travel to ensure you have appropriate vaccines, immunizations, and precautions. Gastrointestinal diseases, tuberculosis, dengue fever, malaria, rabies, and Japanese Encephalitis pose serious risk to travelers in Burma. Obtain information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, from the CDC’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For more information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website.

OSAC Country Council Information

The OSAC Burma Country Council meets regularly. Additionally, the Regional Security Office (RSO) provides country briefings for representatives of U.S. businesses, non-governmental organizations, academia, and faith-based organizations as requested. For more information on the Country Council or to connect with the RSO, please contact OSAC’s East Asia Pacific team.

U.S. Embassy Location and Contact Information

Embassy and Hours of Operation

U.S. Embassy Rangoon, 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon

Embassy Hours: Monday-Friday, 0800-1630 (except U.S. and local holidays)

American Citizen Services: Monday-Friday, 1400-1530 (by appointment)

The Embassy is available 24-hours a day to assist U.S. citizens in emergencies.

Follow American Citizen Services on Twitter: @ACSRangoon

Embassy Contact Numbers

Main telephone (24-hour): (95) 1-536-509

Consular Section: (95) 1-536-509 ext. 4240

Emergency Duty Officer: (95)1-536 509

Marine Security Guard Post One: (95) 1-536-509 ext. 4014

Regional Security Office: (95) 1-536-509 ext. 4225

Website: https://mm.usembassy.gov/ 

Embassy Guidance

All Americans should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) when traveling to Burma. U.S. citizens wishing to conduct business in Burma should consult the Embassy Foreign Commercial Service office or the Embassy Economic section for advice and words of caution.

Additional Resources

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Myanmar can offer assistance in entering the market. Interested companies should contact Zara Dang, AmCham Myanmar Executive Director. Additionally, the Embassy’s Commercial Section can assist companies in identifying legitimate business partners (contact: John Fleming, Senior Commercial Officer).

Burma Country Information Sheet