TEN ALTERNATIVE MYANMAR GIFT IDEAS
The application of thanaka, one of Myanmar’s most popular traditional souvenir items
From coloured parasols to thanaka to Shan paper and marionettes, whilst touring Myanmar, you’ll find no shortage of traditional souvenir items to max out your left over baggage allowance. But what if you’re after something different, something that very few travellers are likely to know about, or ever get their hands on?
In no particular order, below you’ll find Tour Mandalay’s top ten alternative Myanmar gift ideas.
A jar of Haven honey
A jar of Haven honey, the perfect breakfast accompaniment
In the honey trade, smaller scale beekeepers are often at the mercy of fluctuating supply and demand and suffer from lack of proper resources. Haven aims to protect them from that, providing competitive compensation that supports these beekeepers to sustain and grow their respective businesses.
From sunflower honey to pigeon pea honey, there’s a range of flavours to choose from. They even come in small 50g jars, making it possible to purchase multiple varieties and carry out tasting sessions in the comfort of your hotel room.
Where to buy?
Yangon Bakehouse
NOTE: Please double check with your county’s immigration department before attempting to bring this item back home. If it’s not possible, there’s of course no stopping you from enjoying it in-country.
Turquoise Mountain’s artisan-made gold jewellery
One of our favourite pieces of Turquoise Mountain’s artisan-made jewellery
Despite a goldsmithing tradition dating back more than 2,000 years, at least 98% of gold jewellery sold in Yangon is machine-made. By working closely with skilled artisans, Turquoise Mountain (an NGO founded by HRH the Prince of Wales), aims to bring the traditional method of gold production back to life. By purchasing jewellery made by these artisans, you too can help keep the demand for the practise alive.
Where to buy?
Turquoise Mountain’s goldsmith workshop, Anawrahta Cruise and Hla Day
KOKO Soy Candle
An orange clove scented candle from KOKO Soy Candle – a great choice for festive occasions
By purchasing one of KOKO Soy Candle’s scented candle jars, you’ll be supporting Ma Khin Swe, Myanmar’s first, if not only scented candle maker. As an added bonus, you’ll also get to enjoy one of the many fragrances from the comfort of your home or hotel room. For something locally distinct, we’d highly recommend the thanaka and Burmese padauk fragrances.
Where to buy?
Nourish Cafe
A book (or box of books) from Third Story Project
Keep an eye out for the Third Story Project logo
The Third Story Project creates children’s books with a positive message for children in Myanmar, written and illustrated by Myanmar artists. Not only can you buy select books (written in English language) for your own child, but you can also chose to buy books (written in Burmese, Kachin, Shan, Rakhine, Zomi, Hakha, Mindat, Mon, Sagaw Karen, Pwo Karen and Pa-o languages) and “pass it on” to education hungry children around the country; this’ll be sure to make a longer lasting impression than toys or candy.
For MMK35,000 (approximately USD30), you can buy a box of 22 books, a teacher’s guide book and activity sheet from Hla Day; this will then be donated to one of the partner schools most in need.
Where to buy?
Hla Day
A nativity set, handcrafted by a Buddhist potter
Tour Mandalay’s Christmas card from 2016, featuring Hla Day’s red clay nativity set
Made by a Buddhist potter on the shores of Inle Lake, this hand-painted, red clay nativity set comes from a vocational training centre in Yangon that supports development among Shan communities. They look very much at home in the fold away bamboo stable, which can be purchased from Hla Day separately.
Where to buy?
Hla Day
A pack of Palu bamboo straws
Plastic free packs of Palu straws (imaged sourced from Palu’s official Facebook page)
Did you know that it takes up to 200 years for a plastic straw to decompose and (as of 2017) they were the 11th most prevalent form of ocean trash?
If possible, we’d politely like to request you purposely ask for plastic straws not to be provided in bars or restaurants; to better get the message across, you may also want to come armed with a Palü reusable straw.
Palü straws are made from 100% natural, whole bamboo stalks grown in Myanmar and handmade by local craftsmen. The name, Palü, comes from the Chin language of west Myanmar. It is the name for a bamboo straw used to drink traditional rice wine at special occasions or when welcoming guests.
We’re sure they’d go down a storm at your next dinner party!
Where to buy?
Union Bar, Burma Bistro and Hla Day
A vintage style quartz watch from the Mandalay Watch Company
Looking for a special keepsake to remind you of your “time” in Myanmar, look no further that the 38 and 41mm vintage style watches from Mandalay Watch Company. Starting from USD69, these quartz movement timepieces are eye-catching, trendy and 100% Myanmar made.
Where to buy?
Yangoods
‘Marked for Life’ by Jens Use Parkitny
The eye-catching book cover of ‘Marked for Life’ by Jens Uwe Parkitny
Jens Use Parkitny, the owner of Loikaw Lodge (one of Tour Mandalay’s favourites!), is also a professional photographer, perhaps best known for the work he’s done documenting the facial tattoos of various Chin ethnic groups; though a centuries-old tradition, this tattooing practice has never been the subject of any anthropological research. With the extraordinary culture quickly vanishing, this book aims to preserve and document the tradition long into the future.
If you’re lucky enough to stay at Loikaw Lodge, and Jens its about, you might even be able to get your hands on a signed copy.
Where to buy?
Loikaw Lodge, Hla Day, most good book shops
Multicoloured neck tie(s) from Hla Day
Three groomsmen sporting Hla Day’s colourful neck ties at the River Cottage (UK) – they’ll be sure to brighten up even the most cloudy of days!
If you like your ties loud, these are for you. Made with a range of ethnic longyi (sarong) materials, we guarantee that these will brighten up any special occasion.
Where to buy?
Hla Day
Sharky’s black pepper and fleur de sel
A jar of Sharky’s pepper & fleur de sel, the best friend of scrambled eggs
Take a piece of Ngapali home with a 120g jar of Sharky’s black pepper and fleur de sel. With a variety of other tantalising combinations ranging from smoked fleur de sel to smoked chilli fleur de sel, this 100% Myanmar made sea salt will add an extra layer of flavour to your next culinary masterpiece.
Where to buy?
Sharky’s restautant
There are of course many more amazing alternative Myanmar gift ideas out there – this is just the tip of the iceberg! – but we hope this helps to demonstrate that there are some awesome Myanmar businesses (and Myanmar affiliated individuals) coming up with some really amazing ideas.
