Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, president & CEO of Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company has been named in Forbes’ World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

The list was determined by analysing the world’s most successful women and includes business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, scientists and philanthropists. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao is Vietnam’s first woman to be featured in the list and was placed number 62 overall. The list also includes the likes of Angela Merkel, Hilary Clinton and Janet Yellen.

The majority of Thao’s wealth and success derives from her 95 per cent stake in Vietjet Air, residential projects and HDBank, where she serves on the board as vice chairwoman.

Under her leadership, Vietjet has captured the largest market share in the local aviation industry and has rapidly developed an extensive domestic and international network in just four years of operations. The airline has completely transformed the Vietnamese aviation sector, allowing for millions of people to enjoy the ease and convenience of air travel.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao is also set to become Vietnam’s first female billionaire after it was announced that Vietjet is planning an initial public offering (IPO) in the coming months. The airline is looking to offer as much as a 30 per cent stake and aims to seek a valuation of more than US$1 billion. After this Madam Thao is set to have a net worth exceeding $1 billion, also making her Southeast Asia’s first self made female billionaire.