NGON SAI GON – DONG DA HA NOI

Facade – Echoes of Old Saigon Apartments

The restaurant façade is cloaked with vertical trellises covered in climbing plants, creating a “breathing wall” that naturally regulates airflow while recalling balconies filled with potted plants and bougainvillea of southern collective housing.

A pastel-blue vintage round sign and a scooter parked at the entrance complete a 1970s-inspired streetscape.

Entrance Walkway – Inspired by Nhieu Loc Canal Houses

Rows of earth-red cushioned seats run along terracotta brick walls, reminiscent of temporary wooden houses along Nhieu Loc Canal where communities lived closely together.

Black-and-white photos depicting Saigon’s urban life in the 1960s–70s deepen the nostalgic mood. Overhead, a wooden-and-green slatted ceiling mimics makeshift awnings of southern houses, filtering soft morning sunlight.

Private Dining – Cherishing Memories

The VIP rooms preserve the Nhiêu Lộc-inspired spirit with rattan chairs, woven bamboo pendant lamps, and wallpaper illustrating façades of old Saigon apartments once found on Trần Hưng Đạo, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, or Bùi Hữu Nghĩa streets.

Each room tells its own story, framed by a view of the iconic Bitexco Tower, bridging the old and new Saigon.

Bar & Reception – Cho Lon Vibes Inside the Restaurant

The bar area highlights Cho Lon’s atmosphere with red striped wall tiles, globe pendant lights, and retro-style dish racks.

Across the bar, a powder-blue wall with decorative faux window frames introduces a retro yet refreshing contrast – familiar, yet different.

Stairway – Nostalgia of Old Saigon Apartments

The staircase is not just a connector between floors but also a “memory lane.”

Its cement steps, black iron handrails, and reddish walls recall apartment blocks like Nguyễn Thiện Thuật or Châu Văn Liêm. Soft under-step lighting and vintage wall murals evoke corridors where children once played and adults gathered to chat on plastic stools.

Small hanging bulbs, reminiscent of apartment balcony lights at night, blend nostalgic aesthetics with modern lighting design.

First Floor – A Saigon Home in Hanoi

While the façade recalls the 1970s, the first floor recreates the warmth of an authentic Saigon household.

Details like powder-blue sliding iron doors, arched partitions, and mesh window frames echo familiar Saigon houses in Tran Quang Dieu or Cho Lon alleys.

Rather than a literal replica, IDD Decor reimagined the old spirit in a modern context – adding spot lighting, greenery, and wooden dining sets that feel like a family meal in a Southern living room.

Partitioned by arched mesh doorways, the space feels private yet open. Its muted green and aged textures capture the beauty of past generations. Here, diners don’t feel like they’re at a restaurant – but at home, within a Saigon both distant and eternal.

Second Floor – A Rooftop Bridge Between Old and New Saigon

The second floor is designed as a rooftop terrace, symbolizing the transition from old Saigon to modern-day vibrancy.

Bathed in sunlight and greenery, the ceiling features curved wave-like panels, resembling drifting clouds above the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows expand the view, letting diners soak in Hanoi’s cityscape.

Concrete gray, rustic wood, and velvet red tones balance modernity with warmth, creating a cozy yet chic ambiance – perfect for gatherings, corporate events, or casual dinners.

It becomes a symbolic bridge between Saigon’s past and present, offering diners a layered, immersive cultural and culinary journey.