Yangon Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Yangon.
Myanmar's public hospitals are crowded and short on modern equipment. Most expatriates and travelers rely on private clinics.
Pun Hlaing Siloam in Hlaingthaya, Sakura Medical Center in Bahan, and Asia Royal Hospital in Lanmadaw accept foreign insurance and have English-speaking doctors.
City Mart and Guardian chain pharmacies stock imported brands. Common meds like paracetamol, antihistamines, and rehydration salts are available over the counter.
Travel insurance is not legally required but strongly advised. Hospitals demand upfront payment in kyat or USD.
- ✓ Pack prescription originals plus a doctor's letter listing generic names.
- ✓ Avoid ice in street-side tea stalls unless you see it delivered in sealed bags.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Smartphone snatching from passing motorbikes and purse slashing in crowded buses.
Right-hand drive vehicles on right-hand roads create blind spots. Pedestrians lack right-of-way.
Unclean water used to rinse salad greens and lukewarm curries sitting in alley stalls.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
A man in burgundy robes approaches near Shwedagon, claims the temple is closed for prayer, and asks for 'donations' to reopen it.
A friendly stranger at Bogyoke Market offers to ship gems at a discount, then produces fake export papers demanding extra fees.
Drivers quote fares in USD at the arrival gate and refuse to use the meter.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • Use Grab or the red-and-white city taxis with rooftop signs. Agree on the meter or price before entering.
- • Sit behind the driver in motorbike taxis to balance weight and reduce purse-snatching risk.
- • Exit clubs on 50th Street in pairs. Poorly lit side lanes off Merchant Street attract opportunistic thieves after midnight.
- • Check the seal on beer bottles at open-air beer stations to avoid watered-down brews.
- • Ask before photographing monks or military buildings. Pointing your lens at police checkpoints on Strand Road can lead to camera confiscation.
- • Early morning at Shwedagon rewards you with golden light and fewer selfie-stick crowds.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Solo women report cat-calling near construction sites but rarely physical harassment. Covering shoulders and knees reduces unwanted attention.
- → Choose upper-deck seats on Yangon Circular Train for more space and fewer wandering hands.
- → Avoid shared taxis at night. Book GrabBike with helmet provided and track route on your phone.
Same-sex relations remain criminalized under colonial-era law, though prosecutions are rare in Yangon urban areas.
- → Meet contacts through established events at French Institute or British Club rather than apps to ensure safety.
- → Hotel booking sites allow filtering for LGBTQ-friendly properties. Avoid guesthouses with single-bed-only policies.
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Domestic hospitals demand cash deposits before treatment. Evacuation to Bangkok can exceed mid-range annual salaries locally.
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