Getting inked in Ho Chi Minh by Shiiworks
On our recent travels to Ho Chi Minh City my partner and I decided to get a tattoos.
We were a bit dubious about getting tattoos in a different country, as you have to think: Is it hygienic? Safe? Will I regret it?
It's really important to do your research on a tattooist and know what the standards are in the country you're getting it in. Obviously, if you're going for a bamboo tattoo in Thailand then there's a risk, but most tattooist now play by the hygiene rules – but check before you book. You should read reviews, look on social media and TripAdvisor, or better still talk to someone who got a tattoo at the same place.
Even more importantly: be really sure you actually want a tattoo. Don't just get one because it's cheap. Remember a tattoo is for life, not just for Christmas.
Book an appointment: DM on Instagram
Tattoo cost: depends on size, ours were 50,000 to 60,000 each (1cm to 2cm)
We heard about Shiiworks through a girl we met on our travels. She had found her on Instagram and had been talking to her about what she wanted for a week or so, which sparked our interested in possibly getting a tattoo in Vietnam.
We had a good look through Shiiworks work on her Instagram, which began to fill us with a lot of confidence and excitement in what we might want to get. She does quite a lot of different kinds of tattoos, from really detailed ones to simple lines, and even one that my partner actually wanted: a rose.
What really convinced us to book though was the fact the girl we met later sent us a picture of the tattoo she got, so we thought, let's go for it! And before we knew it we had an appointment the following week.
We arrived at what appeared to be a block of flats, which was actually crammed with businesses on each floor. This is rather common in Ho Chi Minh - I've never been in a city that makes the most out of every space.
Located on the 4th floor, Shiiworks was tiny, with a cool pink neon sign, a tattooist chair, lights, inks and a toilet. It felt cosy with soothing chillhop music playing in the background.
You could tell that Shiiworks was very serious about her craft. She told us how she works all day and then attends drawing classes to perfect her skill.
She printed out the pictures we had sent her and then traced over them onto tracing paper. She recommended where it would suit best on the arm and had a play with different positions.
Mine was rather complicated because it was a rectangle on the wrist. As you move your wrist a lot the shape can change so it was really important to get it in the right position.
She went over the lines a few times so the ink was laid on thicker, because in time it will fade.
After 15 to 20 minutes, mine was done! I was so happy with the final result:
I asked Shiiworks how she got into being a tattooist, she replied:
“Hmm I don't remember when I starting wanting to be tattooist. I just know that when I look at someone's tattoo, I wanted to be the one who did it for them.”
She was very modest, calm and collected. I’d highly recommend Shiiworks to anyone thinking off getting a tattoo whilst in Vietnam.
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| Getting inked (credit: Flikr) |
Why we decided to get them
We both had tattoos done this year at Family Business in London by Jonathan Mckenzie who is a very precise and fine detailed artist – it was actually my first ever tattoo. I didn't really think tattoos would be addictive, but here I am, getting my second one in the space of 4 months – in Vietnam!We were a bit dubious about getting tattoos in a different country, as you have to think: Is it hygienic? Safe? Will I regret it?
It's really important to do your research on a tattooist and know what the standards are in the country you're getting it in. Obviously, if you're going for a bamboo tattoo in Thailand then there's a risk, but most tattooist now play by the hygiene rules – but check before you book. You should read reviews, look on social media and TripAdvisor, or better still talk to someone who got a tattoo at the same place.
Even more importantly: be really sure you actually want a tattoo. Don't just get one because it's cheap. Remember a tattoo is for life, not just for Christmas.
Shiiworks
Address: 23 Cư Xá Trần Quang Diệu, Quận 3 70000 Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamBook an appointment: DM on Instagram
Tattoo cost: depends on size, ours were 50,000 to 60,000 each (1cm to 2cm)
We heard about Shiiworks through a girl we met on our travels. She had found her on Instagram and had been talking to her about what she wanted for a week or so, which sparked our interested in possibly getting a tattoo in Vietnam.
We had a good look through Shiiworks work on her Instagram, which began to fill us with a lot of confidence and excitement in what we might want to get. She does quite a lot of different kinds of tattoos, from really detailed ones to simple lines, and even one that my partner actually wanted: a rose.
What really convinced us to book though was the fact the girl we met later sent us a picture of the tattoo she got, so we thought, let's go for it! And before we knew it we had an appointment the following week.
We arrived at what appeared to be a block of flats, which was actually crammed with businesses on each floor. This is rather common in Ho Chi Minh - I've never been in a city that makes the most out of every space.
 |
| If you look closely, you will see the Shiiwork sign |
Located on the 4th floor, Shiiworks was tiny, with a cool pink neon sign, a tattooist chair, lights, inks and a toilet. It felt cosy with soothing chillhop music playing in the background.
 |
| Shiiworks' studio |
You could tell that Shiiworks was very serious about her craft. She told us how she works all day and then attends drawing classes to perfect her skill.
She printed out the pictures we had sent her and then traced over them onto tracing paper. She recommended where it would suit best on the arm and had a play with different positions.
She went over the lines a few times so the ink was laid on thicker, because in time it will fade.
After 15 to 20 minutes, mine was done! I was so happy with the final result:
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A solid frame, great lines. See Instagram.
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I asked Shiiworks how she got into being a tattooist, she replied:
“Hmm I don't remember when I starting wanting to be tattooist. I just know that when I look at someone's tattoo, I wanted to be the one who did it for them.”
She was very modest, calm and collected. I’d highly recommend Shiiworks to anyone thinking off getting a tattoo whilst in Vietnam.
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