The daughters of longtime New Saigon owners opening a new restaurant

Growing up, the back alleyway of New Saigon Restaurant was a playground for the five Nguyen sisters. They napped on restaurant coolers, while restaurant employees helped them with their schoolwork. “It was our home,” said An, the second-oldest daughter.

Their parents, Ha Pham and Thai Nguyen, ran the Vietnamese restaurant for nearly 30 years, from 1987 when they bought it from the previous owners, until 2017 when they sold the business. But last month, New Saigon, which had become a Denver staple, closed for good as Pham and Thai Nguyen have decided to sell the building, which they still own.

Even so, the couple left a culinary legacy behind them.

One daughter, Thu, still runs New Saigon Bakery & Deli next door to the original restaurant, at 630 S. Federa...