UPDATE: Less than a year after they opened, Viet House has closed, with no notice about where or when they might reopen. Another mom and pop ethnic restaurant bites the dust. I remember the nice Latino male waiter with a friendly smile.
***
Viet House just opened within a week of this review being written. One day, a banner read "coming soon" and the next day, it said "grand opening". We ordered the nem nuong noodles (bun) and lemongrass beef noodles (bun). our dining companions ordered the wonton noodle soup and the traditional com (rice) dish with Vietnamese meatloaf and shrimp on a sugarcane.
Having eaten at the other three main Vietnamese restaurants in Madison, I would say that Viet House has a lot of potential to compete. They have nice decor, friendly waitstaff, and a nice selection of smoothies and boba tea for the average price in town ($4 or under).
I'll write another review on my next excursion here.