Measure
Snapshot
Vietnam
Ranked 12 of 26 for comprehensive power, with an overall score of 17.5 out of 100.
Lost 0.8 points (−4% change) in overall score in 2023.
Lost 0.8 points (−4% change) in overall score in 2023.
Vietnam is a middle power in Asia.
The country lost 0.8 points in its overall power relative to 2021.
Vietnam performs best in the diplomatic influence measure, placing ninth, the result of its proactive diplomatic outreach with a diverse set of partners.
Resilience remains the country’s weakest measure, with Vietnam ranking 19th, in part reflecting its contested maritime boundaries in the South China Sea, its proximity to China, and its legacy of interstate conflict with Beijing.
Vietnam’s biggest declines in 2022 were in the defence networks measure, where the country dropped to 15th.
Vietnam exerts more influence in the region than expected given its available resources, as indicated by the country’s positive power gap score, which improved in 2022.
Read more analysis in the Key Findings report. Explore further results in the Scores section.
Bilateral trade, current dollars (2020)
Globally, which countries does Vietnam do most of its trade with?
Which countries in the region rely most on trade with Vietnam?
A country’s weighted average across eight measures of power
Economic size and attributes with the most geopolitical relevance
Conventional military strength
Capacity to deter real or potential threats to state stability
Projected distribution of future economic, military and demographic resources
The capacity to exercise influence and leverage through economic interdependencies
Defence partnerships that act as force multipliers of military capability
The extent and standing of a state’s foreign relations
Ability to shape international public opinion through cultural appeal and interaction