Tattoo Guides & Tips

Practical, honest advice on pricing, pain, and aftercare for travelers getting tattooed in Hanoi.

Do Visible Tattoos Still Affect Your Career?

What real survey data actually says about workplace attitudes toward tattoos today, which placements still carry the most risk, and how to plan around it.

What to Actually Wear to Your Tattoo Appointment

Practical clothing advice by placement — what makes access easy for your artist, what keeps you comfortable through a long session, and what to avoid.

How Much Does a Full Sleeve or Back Piece Really Cost?

Our hourly rate is simple, but a full sleeve or back is a multi-session project — here's how to actually budget for the real total, not just one visit.

Should Your First Tattoo Ever Be a Large Piece?

Honest guidance for two different starting points — going big with zero tattoo experience, versus building a large piece around ink you already have.

Large Tattoos vs. Small Tattoos: A Real Skill Test

Why full backs and sleeves are a much tougher test of an artist's real skill than small tattoos — and why our gallery leans heavily toward large pieces.

Getting a Memorial Portrait Tattoo, Done Right

Practical guidance for a portrait tattoo of someone you've lost, or a pet — what actually makes a reference photo work, and what to expect from the process.

Preparing for a Multi-Session Tattoo Project

How much time to leave between sessions, what to actually do to prepare for each one, and why you pay session by session instead of all at once.

What Your Artist Actually Needs to Know Before Tattooing You

A practical checklist of what to bring and mention at your consultation — health, references, budget, and placement — so nothing gets figured out mid-session.

Touch-Ups, Reworks, and Cover-Ups, Explained

Why touch-ups happen naturally over time, how reworking an old tattoo actually works, and what really makes a design coverable — explained honestly.

Black & Grey Realism Tattoos: What to Actually Look For

Where the style comes from, how to spot skilled shading versus a patchy piece, and what to know before booking a black & grey realism tattoo.

Blackwork & Tribal Tattoos: What to Actually Look For

Where the style comes from, how to spot even, well-saturated black work, and what to know before booking a blackwork or tribal-influenced tattoo.

Color & Japanese-Style Tattoos: What to Actually Look For

Where the style comes from, what separates a well-executed piece from a poorly composed one, and what to know before booking a color or Japanese-style tattoo.