I just realized that many people still don't understand why the FOMC meeting schedule is so important. Each meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve (FED) not only affects the U.S. market but also directly impacts our wallets in Vietnam — from USD/VND exchange rates, gold prices, to stocks and crypto.

First, you need to know that the Federal Funds Rate is the interest rate at which U.S. banks lend to each other overnight. It acts as a "valve" regulating global capital flows. When the FED raises interest rates, global investment funds rush to the U.S. to enjoy higher, safer returns. Conversely, when the FED lowers rates, capital flows into emerging markets like Vietnam, causing gold, stocks, and crypto prices to surge.

Looking at the 2026 FOMC schedule, I see there are 8 meetings a year, but not all are equally important. The most "hot" meetings are in March, June, September, and December — when the FED announces the Dot Plot chart (future interest rate projections by FOMC members). The recent March meeting sent a notable signal: the market is starting to price in the possibility that the FED will begin cutting rates from mid-year.

There’s a tool that Wall Street funds use daily to forecast FED moves — the CME FedWatch Tool. It shows you the probability of the FED taking action at the next meeting based on 30-day futures contracts. If you want to get ahead of the market, follow this tool instead of waiting for news reports.

So, what is the actual impact of the FOMC schedule on Vietnam? When the FED keeps interest rates high, the interest rate differential between USD and VND narrows, prompting foreign investors (FII) to withdraw capital back to the U.S. This puts pressure on the USD/VND exchange rate, forcing the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) to sell foreign currency to intervene. If the FED starts lowering rates, this pressure eases, and the SBV will have room to loosen monetary policy, which is good for stocks and real estate.

Regarding gold, the relationship with FED interest rates is straightforward: higher rates make gold less attractive (since gold doesn’t generate interest). But in 2026, geopolitical factors and central banks’ gold buying (like China, Russia) could break this rule. I advise you that when the FED begins cutting rates, buy gold on dips after major news, rather than chasing after the hype.

Vietnamese stocks will also benefit directly from the FOMC schedule. The FED interest rate is the denominator in stock valuation formulas — lower rates = higher valuations = VN-Index rises. Real estate, construction, and financial sectors will be the first to benefit when the FED starts cutting.

As for crypto, Bitcoin and Ethereum are highly correlated with global USD liquidity. When the FED loosens monetary policy (cuts rates), Bitcoin tends to rise faster than gold or stocks. But beware: crypto markets trade 24/7, and FOMC meetings often happen in the early morning Vietnam time — when crypto liquidity is thinnest, increasing the risk of sudden flash crashes.

For strategic actions, I suggest: if the upcoming FOMC schedule and you expect the FED to cut rates, increase your holdings in stocks and gold, and reduce cash. If you’re worried about inflation returning, hold USD and short-term government bonds. Never go "all-in" on a single scenario — allocate 10-15% of your portfolio to defensive assets.

Key points to remember: The FOMC schedule is not history — it’s the future. Keep an eye on the DXY index (U.S. dollar strength) and U.S. 10-year bond yields daily. When DXY hits 105-107 points with a reversal signal, that’s often a sign that the VN-Index is about to rise. Also, monetary policy effects have a lag of 6-18 months, so what the FED does today will impact the economy at the end of this year or early next year.

I recommend bookmarking the FOMC schedule on your phone, following the CME FedWatch Tool weekly, and preparing plans for each scenario (FED cuts, raises, or holds steady). The market favors well-prepared people, not guessers. 2026 will be a year of flexibility — be ready to change your strategy as new data emerges.