The Van Gogh & Impressionist Masters Art Lighting Experience at Giga Mall (Thu Duc City) has become a bit of a cultural phenomenon with the locals in Ho Chi Minh City. Spanning over 3,800 square meters on the 8th floor, this is not a traditional “look-but-don’t-touch” gallery, but instead, is a high-tech, multi-sensory journey blending 19th-century masterpieces with 21st-century digital wizardry.
1. A New Way to See Art: The Tech Behind the Magic
The exhibition is the first of its kind in Vietnam, brought to life by Vioso, a world-renowned German mapping company. Rather than having static paintings hanging in a quiet hall, the “Art Lighting Experience” uses over 90 industrial projectors and 3D mapping technology to turn floors, walls, and ceilings into a living canvas.
The latest 2026 update to the exhibition, the “Limited Version,” has further expanded the scope to include Impressionist masters like Claude Monet. This means you aren’t just seeing the turbulent swirls of The Starry Night; you are also wandering through the dappled light of Monet’s water lilies.
2. Navigating the 16 “Experiential Touchpoints”
The exhibition is meticulously designed to take you on a chronological and emotional journey through Van Gogh’s life. The layout features 15 to 16 distinct zones, each offering a different perspective:
- The Interactive Corridor: A mirrored hallway that uses optical illusions to “transport” you back 133 years to the late 19th century.
- Vincent’s Land: This area focuses on the biographical details of his life, featuring letters to his brother Theo and sketches that formed the foundation of his genius.
- Vincent’s Soul (The Immersive 720): The literal heart of the experience. This 390-square-meter cylindrical space offers a 720-degree projection. You can sit on the floor and watch as giant sunflowers bloom around you or as the walls “melt” into the wheat fields of Auvers-sur-Oise.
- The Monet Garden: A recent addition that recreates the lush greenery of Giverny, complete with a physical bridge and floral installations that pay homage to Claude Monet.
3. Beyond Sight: The Multi-Sensory Elements
What sets this apart from a digital slideshow is the engagement of all five senses:
- Sound: A curated soundtrack of classical music and ambient sounds (like wind in the wheat or birds in the garden) creates an emotional resonance with the visuals.
- Touch & Interaction: Interactive floors react to your footsteps. In certain zones, you can even use VR headsets to “walk” through Van Gogh’s bedroom in Arles.
- Creativity: For those with a VIP ticket, the Monet Workshop provides an area to pick up a brush and create your own canvas, inspired by the masters you’ve just seen.
4. Dining With Vincent and Claude
The experience doesn’t end when the lights go down. The 8th floor also houses Vincent’s Restaurant and Monet’s Café. These aren’t just typical mall food stalls; they are themed spaces serving European-inspired cuisine.
Many visitors opt for the “Starry Night” or “Almond Blossom” combos, which bundle exhibition tickets with a multi-course set menu. Imagine dining on steak and wine in a room inspired by the very art you just walked through—it’s the perfect way to decompress after the sensory overload of the main halls.
5. Practical Information (2026 Guide)
If you’re planning a visit, here are the logistical “must-knows” to ensure a smooth trip to Thu Duc.
Ticket categories
| Ticket Type | Estimated Price | What’s Included |
| Standard | ~300,000 – 360,000 VND | 120-minute entry to all main exhibition zones. |
| VIP | ~450,000 – 540,000 VND | Priority entry, a souvenir gift, VR experience, and canvas painting session. |
| Luxury/Combo | 1,200,000 – 1,400,000 VND | Two VIP/Standard tickets plus a full set menu at Vincent’s Restaurant. |
Note: “Special” tickets are available for students under 22 and seniors over 65 (remember to bring your ID).
Location & timing
- Location: Level 8, Giga Mall, 240-242 Pham Van Dong St., Thu Duc City.
- Hours: 09:30 AM – 10:00 PM daily.
- Pro Tip: Arrive at least 90 minutes before closing (20:30) to ensure you have enough time to explore. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends.
6. Is It Worth the Trip to Thu Duc?
Giga Mall can be a bit of a trek if you’re staying in District 1 or 3, taking about 30 to 45 minutes to get there traffic depending on traffic, and not to mention, there is another Van Gogh experience at Thiso Mall located in District 2, which is much closer.
The Van Gogh experience represents a shift in how Vietnam consumes culture—moving away from the “look but don’t touch” philosophy of old museums toward a dynamic, digital-first engagement.
While the exhibition offers a rare moment of beauty and introspection in the middle of a bustling shopping mall, I’m sorry to say that I don’t quite think it’s worth the price of admission.
While it does offer an opportunity to experience a nice exhibit of solely Van Gogh’s artistry (sometimes with guest artists), the “immersive” elements never really felt very immersive. The 720° in particular is just a tent where you sit down and look at a screen. Maybe it feels different at night, but during the day, it was hot, stuffy, noisy, and not very entertaining.
Unless you’re really into art and analyse each painting in depth, and you choose not to buy a V.I.P, the experience might only last 20-30 minutes at best. That said, while it wasn’t for me, it does seem to be quite popular with locals and other Southeast Asian tourists, with rave reviews on Google Maps, so it could just come down to taste.
Tips for the Best Experience:
- Dress Code: White or light-colored clothing works best if you want the art to be projected onto your clothes for photos.
- Photography: Photography is encouraged, but turn off your flash. Flash ruins the digital projections for everyone else and washes out your photos.
- The “720” Room: Don’t rush through the main projection hall. The loop lasts about 20-30 minutes. Find a spot, sit down, and let the cycle play through at least once to catch all the transitions.
Conclusion: A Bridge Between Past and Future
The Van Gogh & Impressionist Masters Art Lighting Experience is a cultural bridge that successfully translates the delicate, analogue brushstrokes of the 1800s into a digital language that speaks to the modern generation. By removing the physical barriers between the viewer and the canvas, it allows the “genius of madness” to feel personal, accessible, and profoundly alive.
As Ho Chi Minh City continues to evolve into a global hub for art and technology, this exhibition stands as a shining example of how we can honour the masters of the past while embracing the tools of the future. Whether you leave with a camera roll full of photos or a newfound appreciation for the Impressionist movement, one thing is certain: you won’t look at a sunflower or a starry night quite the same way again.
