According to U.S. News & World Report, the world’s most powerful countries are the ones that consistently dominate news headlines, preoccupy policymakers, and shape global economic patterns. 

Their foreign policies and military budgets are tracked religiously. When they make a pledge, at least some in the international community trust they will keep it.

These countries project their influence on the world stage.

The ranking of countries is based on their leadership, economic, political and military power, and international alliances. 

According to U.S. News & World Report, Vietnam, with a gross domestic product of US$363 billion and a population of 98.2 million people, is densely populated and growing quickly, with about a third of the population living in bustling cities. 

Vietnam has been striving to enhance international integration by its membership in the World Trade Organization in 2007 and participation in free trade negotiations with the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2010. 

It is also a member of the United Nations, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, among other international organizations.

The U.S. still took the lead among the most powerful countries, followed by China and Russia.

U.S. News & World Report called the U.S. the world’s most dominant economic and military power.

In addition, its cultural imprint spans the world, led in large part by its popular culture expressed in music, movies, and television.

In the Southeast Asian region, Singapore was also listed among the 30 most powerful countries in the world, standing at the 26th position.

Source:  Tuoi tre news