Articles by Joyce Roque on ArticleSnatch.com

Things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:29:53 -0500

The first thing you will remember on your drive out of Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport might also be the last thing you see as you leave the city - the motorcycles. The undulating wave of motorcycles that zip and turn to no apparent whim but its own. It is a scary experience at first but after a few hesitant tries and close calls of being inches away from a whizzing motorcycle, you will learn that the best way to work around it is to allow the motorcycles to react to you and not the other way around. Despite Hanoi’s surrounding chaos, the city is thick with bohemian charm and atmosphere with its sprawling French-colonial architecture and vibrant art scene. The buildings are masked with whitewashed facades tinged with age and wooden shutters that let you imagine the days when colonialism was still considered romantic. Surely as Hanoi ranks as one of the most distinct cities in Asia it is also a place where one can mix business with pleasure. Today the city is the capital for one of the region’s vibrant economies. **End Summary** Topics: Hanoi]]> Vietnam]]> travel]]> business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article was written by Joyce Roque for the Vietnam business news website, Vietnam-briefing.com. This publication is written to by staff from Dezan Shira & Associates who also write for the India business news website India-Briefing.com and the China business news website China-briefing.com.

A Look at the Chinese Pharamaceutical Industry

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:48:17 -0400

Last year, when Vicky Zhang got sick with pneumonia she went to a public hospital in Shanghaiâ€™s Pudong district. It took her 2 hours to line up for tests and consult with a doctor, who prescribed her medicine from a list found here. The medicine could only be bought from the hospitalâ€™s pharmacy. They charged her a total of RMB1,000 which wiped out the credit on her state health insurance card and still required her to pay a small amount. Today, after regular monthly deductions from her white-collar salary, if she were to get sick again her card would only have RMB980 worth of hospital credit. The exorbitant cost of medical care in China relative to income and the absence of a reliable social net has led the Chinese to become one of the highest savers in the world. As much as 30 to 40 percent of their income is said to be squirreled away every month in anticipation of possible medical costs that gives China a huge savings rate and lesser investment rate. In contrast, the average American in 2008 had a zero savings rate although that rate has now to 6. **End Summary** Topics: China]]> health]]> business]]> investment]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> To read the rest of this story, please visit the China business news website, China-briefing.com. The site is contributed to by the Chinese business experts at Dezan Shira & Associates, China tax experts who have been doing business in China for over 20 years, and maintain accountants in Shanghai .

Can China Save the Auto Industry

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

If the 2009 Auto Show in Shanghai is any indication, automakers all over the world are hoping that Chinese demand will sustain them during these tough times. Porsche introduced its entry to the luxury sedan market during the eve of the auto show. It was the first time the company debuted a new segment model outside the traditional U.S. and European car show venues. German automaker, Mercedes-Benz brought in a stable of 35 models including a record number of new models for the Chinese market. All this attention from big name automakers indicate the industryâ€™s hope on the Chinese market. Auto sales in China have overtaken U.S. sales for the third month in a row in March. Mercedes-Benz sales in the country posted its highest number at more than 11,000 units sold during the first quarter. U.S. car maker, General Motors, facing severe conditions back home has remained bullish on the growth of the Chinese market as well. The company brought in 37 vehicles and concept cars to the Shanghai auto show and said it it would increase sales by as much as double to 2 million units within five years. **End Summary** Topics: China]]> Auto]]> Market]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> This article was written by Joyce Roque for the Chinese business news website, China-briefing.com. The website is contributed to by the China law and tax experts at Dezan Shira & Associates who assist foreign companies with China business interests.