Housed in one of the few remaining grand villas from the French colonial period, Café Íf transports guests to the romantic and exotic world of East-meets-West of Vietnam during the 1920s. Upon entering the formidable private gates, the grandeur of the estate renders an immediate impression of exclusivity and refinement with the huge European inspired structure, vibrant flowers, lush courtyard, elevated terrace and canopied cabana lounge.

To re-create the ambiance of a bygone nostalgic place and time, the exterior architecture and interior design of the house have been fully restored with limestone plastered walls and antique ceramic tile floors. The main dining room, formerly the grand salon, still retains its swinging wooden doors which were often used to separate the formal living and reception areas from the rest of the house. Wide windows of the main and auxiliary dining rooms with their original louvered shutters open to the side garden appointed with impressive canopied cabanas and tropical plants. The lofty 5 meter ceilings of the dining rooms are defined by interesting lighting fixtures and antique fans which provide a delicate breeze, drawing in the gentle perfume of the longan and oriental plum blossoms from the front terrace and courtyard.

Situated in the heart of the villa is a relaxing lounge furnished with plush sofas and soft lighting, where guests can laze over Champagne or coffee and carry on conversations with friends and colleagues.

The restoration and interior designs of Café Íf were carefully studied and executed by Mr. Ming Chung Wei of Indochine-art Company, one of the finest boutique architectural design firms in Saigon. “The greatest pleasure in working on this project,” said Wei, “has been the journey through Indochina and the accomplishment of purveying an interesting venue with evidences of Vietnam’s cultural and architectural heritage, which is quite colorful!” Mr. Wei comes from a Chinese-Vietnamese background and has acquired his education and experience in architectural design in the United States.