Gigaversal, a multi-floor indoor entertainment facility inside Gigamall (240-242 Phan Van Dong Street) in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, held its grand opening on July 24. Spanning more than 20,000㎡ across floors from the basement to the upper levels, it packs in everything from VR sports to a city of lights, bowling, and an immersive Van Gogh exhibition. In Ho Chi Minh City, where intense heat and afternoon downpours make walking outdoors hard going, an indoor play space unaffected by weather had long been a missing piece for families. For Japanese parents visiting Vietnam and for weekend outings on business trips, this opening adds one more option to the list of things to do. Below, we break down what the facility offers, why "indoor" works so well in this city, and the reality of pricing and access.
Over 20,000㎡ across multiple floors of Gigamall has become an indoor space bundling together themed zones
Gigaversal isn't a single attraction but a collection of zones, each with its own theme. According to the state-run Nhan Dan online edition and other local media reports, it breaks down as follows. Only figures confirmed by multiple sources are included here.
| Zone | Details (per media reports) |
|---|---|
| Immersive World | An immersive area appealing to all five senses |
| Light City | 40+ interactive attractions |
| Sport Games | VR soccer, basketball, tennis, archery, and shooting |
| Gigaversal Bowling Centre | 10 lanes made by Brunswick |
| Magical Zoo | Animal models and hands-on activities |
| Alpha Games / Rainbow Fun | F1-style circuit, maze, ball pool, and slides |
| Van Gogh & Impressionist Masters Exhibition | A 3,800㎡ immersive art exhibit |
Reports also mention a 12D+ motion attraction and flight- and dinosaur-themed experiences such as "Fly Over The World" and "The Lost World." Having VR sports and a toddler-friendly ball pool under the same roof suits families wanting to keep siblings of different ages entertained in one place — elementary-age kids who want dinosaurs and shooting games, and preschoolers happy with slides and a ball pool, can be watched without splitting up the parents.
One to three hours of intense downpours in the afternoon, and 33°C humidity — Ho Chi Minh City's rainy season has been crying out for an indoor option
Ho Chi Minh City's rainy season runs from May through November. Daytime temperatures average around 33°C, and the humidity makes it feel even heavier. Unlike the prolonged rains of the north, the rain here mostly comes as short, intense downpours lasting one to three hours in the afternoon, falling on around 20 days a month in July and August. The flip side is that mornings are usually sunny, and rain reliably comes in the afternoon — a clearly defined pattern by time of day.
This pattern of heavy rain only in the afternoon creates an opening for indoor entertainment. Save outdoor plans like floating markets or a Mekong day trip for the morning, and duck into an air-conditioned building when the afternoon squalls hit — that's the realistic schedule for traveling with young kids in Ho Chi Minh City. Gigamall, where Gigaversal is located, is a large commercial complex that opened in January 2019, with roughly 110,000㎡ of floor space across 2 basement levels and 7 above-ground floors. Because shopping, dining, and a movie theater (CGV) are all under one roof, tired and hungry kids can head straight to a meal without leaving the building. Being able to spend half a day without getting wet on a rainy day is, in itself, reassuring for families.
Local media right after the opening reported crowds of young people and families packing the venue. On social media, comments along the lines of "you can't cover 20,000㎡ in a single day" and "my kid won't leave the VR soccer" have appeared (both paraphrased from local posts). Since the buzz is still running high, families who want to avoid the crowds might consider waiting until the opening rush settles down.
Universal- and Disney-Style Immersive Experiences for Under ¥10,000 — What the 799,000-Dong Package Is Aiming For
The operator positions it as bringing together the immersive experiences of world-class theme parks like Universal Studios and Disneyland and "opening them up at an accessible price." That approach shows up in the pricing too. During the opening month, from July 24 to August 24, there's a "buy one, get one free" campaign alongside a 12-game VR package for 799,000 dong. Converted to yen, that's roughly ¥4,700 (using an approximate rate of ¥1 ≈ 170 dong, not an exact figure). At that price for 12 VR experiences, it looks like a bargain even next to the per-play rates at similar facilities in Japan.
For a family's budget, the appeal is clear. Instead of paying theme-park admission for every person, a parent and child can share a single package and fill a bad-weather afternoon for a few thousand yen. For visitors from Japan, the cost per unit of experience may end up lower than spending the same time at an indoor amusement facility back home. That said, the campaign pricing is limited-time, and the regular rates after August 24 need to be checked separately. Families whose trip falls after September should confirm the latest official pricing before departure.
About 10km from Dong Khoi — Practical Notes for Getting to Gigamall with Kids
Gigamall is about 10km from the center (District 1), a 25-35 minute drive. It's on Pham Van Dong Street; if you're calling a Grab, entering the address "240-242 Pham Van Dong" will get you there without confusion. For access from the airport (Tan Son Nhat) side,Metro Line 6, which will directly connect Tan Son Nhat Airport's Terminal 3 via an underground stationand other public transit projects will make it even easier once completed, but for now a ride-hailing app or taxi is the straightforward option.
One thing to keep in mind when traveling with kids is a change to in-car safety rules. In Vietnam,the new child car seat rulesmoves are underway that also matter when heading to Gigamall by Grab or taxi. If you're traveling with an infant or toddler, checking the seating arrangement before you book a ride will save you a scramble on the day. The building is well air-conditioned and can feel cold in just short sleeves, and the contrast with the 33°C outside is large, so it's worth packing a light jacket for kids.
| Item | Guide |
|---|---|
| Location | Multiple floors inside Gigamall (240-242 Pham Van Dong, Thu Duc) |
| Distance from the center | About 10km / 25-35 min by car |
| Opening date | July 24 |
| Opening campaign | July 24-August 24: Buy one, get one free / 12-game VR package for 799,000 dong (approx. ¥4,700) |
| Best time of day for a visit | Afternoons, when the squalls come |
A split for residents and travelers alike: outdoors on sunny mornings, indoors once it starts raining
Gigaversal's real value isn't as a standalone destination but as "weather insurance." When planning a Ho Chi Minh City stay, spend the morning atan outdoor waterway spot such as Thoi Son Island in the Mekongor exploring the city on foot, then switch to Gigamall once the afternoon squall hits — with that order, a day of rain won't be a washout. Outdoor scenery and indoor experiences aren't competitors; they're a division of labor by time of day.
For residents, the significance lies in having another nearby weekend option for kids to play. You can spend half a day in an air-conditioned building without traveling far, and roll it straight into shopping or a meal. For travelers, it's insurance against a rainy-season itinerary falling apart, and also a detour where you can try Universal- or Disney-level immersive experiences at an affordable price. Since crowds and buzz will run ahead of everything else right after opening, the smart approach is to check the latest pricing and hours officially, then slot a visit into your schedule based on how the rain clouds are moving.
Sources referenced
- Nhân Dân Online — International-class entertainment technology park inaugurated in Ho Chi Minh City
- Vietnam.vn — Gigaversal at Gigamall: a new tech-savvy entertainment destination
- Gigamall — About Gigamall (location and scale)
- Traveloka — Ho Chi Minh City Weather by Month (rainy season and temperatures)
