About the Ceremony

Rotary Club Yangon is pleased to extend a very special invitation on behalf of Rotary International President Gary Huang to attend the Rotary Club of Yangon Charter Presentation Ceremony on Monday, February 2, 2015 at the Inya Lake Hotel, in Yangon, Myanmar.  

The event is scheduled to commence at 6:00 pm with Registration in the Ballroom Annex, then to the lakeside garden for cocktails.  The Dinner Program will commence at 7:00PM with speeches by visiting dignitaries and presentation of the Charter Document, followed by a four-course Myanmar-style Dinner, cultural entertainment, further presentations and gift presentations until conclusion approximately 9:45PM.   A detailed programme will be provided at registration, or by email or phone enquiry.  

Why Attend

Receiving the Charter is a historic moment for any Club but it is particularly important for us as it is the start of reviving a Club that had, in the past, made such a great impact on the country.  The Charter Event will be a great opportunity for us and visiting Rotarians to connect and discuss how we can collaborate to make a difference in Myanmar.

Visiting Dignitaries

Several visiting dignitaries will join RI President Huang in this celebration:  

• PRIP Ron Burton 

• PDG Pravit Rojkajonnapalai (District 3350)

• DG Surachat Cheunchoksan (District 3350)

• PRIP Bhichai Rattakul 

• PRIP Kalyan Bannerjee 

• Rotarian JT Warring (LA5 and founder of the Myanmar Water Project)

Ticket Price for Presentation Ceremony

The ticket price is US$ 130 per person which covers the cocktail reception and the dinner. 

Rotarians and their partners are required to arrange their own hotel accommodation.  

Click here for information about the official event hotel, Inya Lake Hotel, and other partner hotels.

RCY Charter Education Scholarship Fund

Any profits generated from the ticket price of this event, and any donations that we receive on the night, will go towards setting up a fund earmarked especially for  education scholarships. We hope to partner with other Clubs to be able to apply for global grants to expand our scholarship programme. Enabling our young people to have an opportunity to study abroad and become a Rotary Fellow is one of the Club’s priorities.  

Dress Code

Dress code will be formal business attire (not black-tie), or Myanmar traditional attire.

Registration

The deadline for registration has been extended to the 28 January 2015.

For International Rotarians

For international registrants, please complete the online registration form. Payment for the dinner will be taken through Paypal which accepts all major credit cards.  You will receive an email confirmation.  

The registration allows for both individual and group registration, including accompanying partners.

If there are any problems with the registration process, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Myanmar Rotarians and their guests

For Myanmar guests, please download this registration form and send it by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The RCY Support Team will collect payment from you. 

Cancellation

If the unexpected happens and you will not be able to attend the Charter Presentation Ceremony the following cancellation charges will apply:

• Before the 31st December – USD 50 service fee, and the balance of the monies received will be refunded to you.

• Between 1st January to 15th January – 75% of the ticket price will be retained

• After the 15th January – 100% of the ticket price will be retained.

Please note that the Rotary Club of Yangon bears no liability and responsibility for cancellation charges at hotels in Myanmar and other related travel costs. 

Visa Information 

• Depending on point of origin, e-visas are now being issued online  – see www.evisa.moip.gov.mm for application process.  Approval takes 3 or 4 days.

• Most ASEAN countries are on a visa waiver program but it is advisable to check with the Myanmar Embassy nearest you.

• In-person visa applications are taken in all overseas Myanmar Embassies, and  expedited issuance is available.

The Venue and Official Event Hotel

The Charter Presentation Ceremony is being held at the Inya Lake Hotel, 37, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Yangon. 

The 4-star hotel is set in 37 acres of gardens along the shores of Inya Lake and its Bird Sanctuary. The hotel has a post-colonial ambiance with its high ceilings, antique artwork, and teakwood trim. It is one of the best known hotels in Myanmar for its outstanding views especially at sunset, and the chance to see the Yangon Sailing Club and Yangon Rowing Club practice their skills, as well as a stroll along the Inya Lake bund nearby. A popular gathering place is the Lake View Bar, as well as the Pool Bar overlooking the swimming pool and grounds. In addition, the hotel offers Tennis Courts, The Lakeview Shopping Gallery, a Beauty Salon and many cultural performances as well as western style dance music. Famous for its Tea Dances in the 1960s, the hotel is a favourite with locals.

Inya Lake Hotel have offered us the following special room rates for Rotarians and Guests attending the Charter Presentation Ceremony.

• Superior Room – US$ 160 (single), US$ 170(double)

• Deluxe Room – US$ 180 (single), US$ 190 (double)

• Junior Suite Room – US$ 210 (single), US$ 220 (double)

To book this rate at this hotel, please complete the hotel registration form and email it direct to the Inya Lake Hotel at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Other Hotels 

We have made special arrangements through FASCINATING MYANMAR, a leading travel provider, to obtain special rates for alternative hotels.  Please work directly with them to book and pay for arrangements (www.fasinatingmyanmar.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please put Rotarian in the subject column of the email.

Examples of alternative hotels:

Rush hours are usually 8.00 to 10 am and 3 pm to 6 pm. 

There is plenty to see and do in Myanmar. The Rotary Club of Yangon is in partnership with FASCINATING MYANMAR, a leading travel provider located in Kamayut Township, Yangon who will help you to tour Yangon and around Myanmar before or after the Chartered Presentation Ceremony.

For those arriving early, the following optional morning tours around Yangon can be taken by fellow Rotarians on Monday 2nd February. If you wish to join a tour, please contact FASCINATING MYANMAR by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (please put Rotary in the Subject Column), and pay the tour fee direct to them at the start of the tour.

For more details of the tours, please see their website at http://www.fascinatingmyanmar.com/

Sunrise River Cruise  (6am-Noon) – Tour Code AM-HD01

Featuring an early morning cruise on the Yangon River, and a visit to the Shwe Dagon Pagoda.

Price: USD 80 per person

Heritage City Walk (6am-Noon)  – Tour Code AM-HD2

A visit to Shwedagon Pagoda and a walking tour around Yangon’s heritage area with a guide from the Yangon Heritage Trust. 

Price: USD 70 per person

Morning Pilgrim Walk (5.30 am- Noon) – Tour Code FM-HD-03

Experience Buddhist life in Myanamr by participating in morning food offering session to the monks and visiting Shwedagon Pagoda.

Price: USD 55 per person

Rush Hour Commute (6.30 am – Noon) – Tour Code FM-HD-04

The highlight of the tour is to experience Yangon as a local by commuting from Yangon’s main central train station to the outskirt of Yangon, and visiting world famous Shwedagon Pagoda.

Price: USD 55 per person

Extension Tours 

Fascinating Myanmar can also arrange further tours to Myanmar’s main tourists sites, Bagan, Inle Lake and Mandalay. For more details, see their website at http://www.fascinatingmyanmar.com

About the country

Mingalaba! (greetings)  “Myanmar” is the official name of the language, the people, and the country, signifying diversity.  The country is composed of 7 Regions where the ethnic majority is “Bama”, and 7 States (Kachin, Shan, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine and Chin) where the ethnic majorities is very diverse.  

Yangon is the commercial center of the country, Mandalay is considered the cultural and historical seat, and Naypyitaw is the nation’s capitol.   Although the Myanmar language is predominant, most people speak or understand some English in Yangon, but are very shy to use it.  A smile and a greeting will go a long way.

Safety

Myanmar has an excellent record for personal safety, with a crime rate of less than 3%.  Some areas near nightclub zones and bars should be avoided.   

Weather

The weather in February is still cool, especially in the evenings by Inya Lake, so ladies will want to bring light shawls.

Duty Free

Duty Free goods may be brought into Myanmar – depending on point of origin, usually one or two bottles of wine/spirits and one carton of cigarettes.  No limit on cosmetics/perfumes.

Myanmar has a unique customs allowance which allows visitors to buy Duty Free goods after customs clearance at Mingaladon Airport.  

Currency/Credit Cards

Myanmar’s currency availability varies widely; in general, US currency is accepted in all banks, hotels, commercial shops and money lenders at the (as of 4-12-14) rate of $1=Kyat 1009.  EU, Thai Bhat and some European currencies are accepted, but at very low rates of exchange.   

There are ATM machines in Myanmar which accept Visa and Mastercard.  Only a few upscale restaurants, shops and hotels use credit cards, and Myanmar is still very much a cash economy. For those venues which accept credit cards, a fee of approximately 6-10% is added.   Please inform the issuing bank of your credit card that you will be using it in Myanmar. 

PLEASE NOTE:  All US dollars must be in new bills, no creases, marks, tears or folds and larger denominations bring a higher exchange rate. Money can be exchanged at the airport, and at most airports and money lenders around the country.  

Internet/Phone Access

There are many internet cafes and hotel business centres that can assist with technical needs.  Cell phone coverage and internet access is being upgraded;  most services are available in Yangon, but are somewhat irregular in the up-country tourist areas.  It is best to buy a Myanmar cell phone SIM card in any mobile phone establishment.  For some phone carriers, the roaming feature works so you can use your own mobile sim in the country. 

Local transportation

Taxis are plentiful in Yangon and  your hotel will help you to negotiate the fee.

Tipping

Tipping is not generally customary, nor is it expected;  nevertheless it is very welcome.

Bargaining

Bargaining is expected in all commercial establishments and for taxi transportation.  

Shopping

If shopping for jewellery, please follow the rules of  the visitors’ home country, and use only registered establishments.  Guides or local Rotarians can recommend particular shops which is important if the visitor cannot distinguish gem quality.  Donations at monasteries or pagodas is always appropriate, and RCY will gladly accept donations towards its Programs.  Export of antiques is prohibited.

Electrical items

It is advisable to bring an international plug adaptor and a power adaptor for computer equipment or recharging batteries outside of the hotel.