Embassies
Myanmar has embassies in many large countries, and additional consulates in some regional cities in China and the USA. It does not currently have an embassy in all European countries. Go to a list of Myanmar embassies and consulates abroad.
Most foreign embassies are located in Yangon, which is the largest city and business centre of Myanmar. There are also Chinese and Indian consulates in Mandalay. Go a to list of foreign embassies and consulates in Myanmar.
Public holidays and business hours
2018 public holidays
January 1st – International New Year's Day
January 4th – Independence Day
February 12th – Union Day
March 1st – Full Moon of Tabaung
March 2nd – Peasants’ Day
March 27th – Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) Day
April 13th-16th – Thingyan Water Festival
April 17th – Myanmar New Year
April 29th – Full Moon of Kasong (Buddha’s birthday)
May 1st – Labour Day
July 19th – Martyrs’ Day
July 27th – Full Moon of Waso (beginning of Buddhist Lent)
October 24th – Full Moon of Thadingyut (Festival of Lights; end of Buddhist Lent)
November 7th – Deepavali (Diwali)
November 21st-22nd – Full Moon of Tazaungdaing
December 2nd – National Day
December 25th – Christmas Day
2019 public holidays
January 1st – International New Year's Day
January 4th – Independence Day
January 6th - Kayin New Year Day
February 12th – Union Day
March 2nd – Peasants' Day
March 20th – Full moon of Tabung
March 27th – Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) Day
April 13th-17th – Thingyan Water Festival
April 18th – Myanmar New Year
May 1st – Labour Day
May 18th – Full Moon of Kasong (Buddha's Birthday)
July 16th – Full Moon of Waso (beginning of Buddhist lent)
July 19th – Martyr's Day
October 12th – Full Moon of Thadingyut (Festival of Lights; end of Buddhist Lent)
November 10th-11th – Full Moon of Tazaungdaing
November 21st – National Day
December 25th – Christmas Day
December 26th – Kayin New Year Day
For a full Myanmar festival calendar, go here.
Thingyan (the Burmese new year water festival) is by far the biggest nationwide holiday in Myanmar, and sometimes offices will close for a longer period of time than the official festival period.
During the Thingyan Festival, it can be difficult to get long-distance transport: train services are reduced; bus services do not operate at all on many routes, and are severely reduced on others; but planes generally operate on a standard timetable. Furthermore, transport at the beginning and end of the festival can get extremely busy and should always be booked in advance.
Myanmar business hours can vary, but in general the following apply:
- Shops: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 6pm or later; many shops open Sundays, some markets closed Mondays
- Restaurants: all week 8am to 9pm
- Internet cafes: all week 9am to 10pm
- Banks: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
- Post offices and other government offices: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm. For postal services, go to postal services.
- Business office hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; some offices open Saturday
Myanmar time zone
The time zone for all of Myanmar is UTC/GMT +6½ hours. Myanmar has no daylight saving – the time remains the same throughout the year.
Postal services in Yangon & Mandalay
Most towns have a post office, usually open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm. International postage for letters and postcards is cheap, but can take a long time to arrive – or may not arrive at all..
DHL is recommended for larger and high value packages, and has offices in Yangon and Mandalay:
DHL Express Yangon
No. 220 Insein Road
Hlaing Township
Phone: +95 1 507471, 507475
DHL Express Marketplace
No. 403 A Dhamma Zedi Road
Bahan Township
Phone: +95 262 799725
DHL Express Mandalay
No. 652, 78th Street
Between 37th & 38th Streets
Maharaungmyay Township
Phone: +95 9 512 2726
