Myanmar's new president has been sworn in, the first elected civilian leader in more than 50 years.

The vote to appoint a new president in Myanmar has been brought forward by a week, to 10 March.

In a modest dormitory in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw, novice MP Tin Thit recites a poem he has penned called "No Retreat", steeling himself to enter Myanmar's parliament carrying the dreams of a nation left traumatised by army rule.

Myanmar President Thein Sein hails the "triumph" of the country's transition of power, addressing a military-dominated parliament for the final time before a handover to Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy movement.

When Myanmar votes next month in what has been billed as its first free and fair election in 25 years, around 4 million of his fellow citizens, won't be taking part.