New Saigon Restaurant to Shutter After Service on Sunday

The bakery side, which is run by the daughters of the restaurant's former owners, will continue operating as usual.

February 23, 2024

New Saigon has been in business since 1982. Mark Manger

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After more than four decades, Vietnamese staple New Saigon will close on Sunday, February 25. It was one of the first Vietnamese restaurants in Denver, founded on South Federal Boulevard in 1982. For most of its run, it was owned by Ha Pham and Thai Nguyen. Over the years, they expanded and updated several times, even adding an attached bakery that was run by their daughters, Thoa and An Nguyen.

In 2015, the couple sold the restaurant side, but reassumed ownership soon after. Then in 2017, the Nguyens sold the restaurant once again, to brother-sister team Bao and Mai Vu.

In the years since, Thoa and An, who were among our people to watch in 2024, struck out on their own. An opened Savory Vietnam, which she shuttered in late 2023 with plans to open a new concept later this year.

Thoa is the owner of Banh & Butter Bakery Cafe, which debuted at 9935 East Colfax Avenue in 2022. Last year, she showed off her baking skills on the Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship.

What's Next?

The Nguyens still own New Saigon Bakery and Deli at 640 South Federal Boulevard, and "we're just going to continue doing what we're doing right now," says Thoa and An's sister Thu.

As for the space at 630 South Federal, Thu notes that there are no set plans for its future. Through Sunday, New Saigon Restaurant will be open there from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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Molly Martin has been the Food & Drink editor at Westword since 2021. Prior to joining the staff, Molly reported on the Denver dining scene for more than a decade and contributed to Thrillist. At Westword, Molly monitors restaurant openings and closings, offers dining recommendations and reports on Denver-area food news and trends. She also publishes such annual lists as Top 100 Bars and Top 100 Restaurants, and contributes to the yearly Best of Denver edition. In 2023, she was recognized with the Colorado Restaurant Association's Outstanding Media Professional award.

Contact: Molly Martin

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