Michael wasn’t planning to make Vietnam his tattoo destination. Four years ago, he arrived in Da Nang for the first time, doing what most cautious travelers do before committing to something permanent: reading reviews, comparing studios, trying to figure out who was worth trusting. One name kept coming up.
He followed it to Hội An.
“When I first walked in, it was nothing but great staff who made me feel comfortable,” he says. “The hospitality they give to each individual customer — I can’t give enough praise to how much 1984 does and how they take care of you.”
That first impression turned into something longer than a single visit — and longer than a single city.
Not Just a Studio. The Right One.
Michael’s first piece at 1984 was a cover-up — technically demanding work that requires the right artist, not just whoever happens to be available. The team in Hội An knew exactly who that was: Andy, one of their artists based in Hanoi.
So they flew Andy to Hội An.
It’s the kind of call that doesn’t always make sense on paper, but makes complete sense for a studio that genuinely believes every client deserves the right artist for their piece. Not the closest one. The right one. For Michael, that decision made all the difference — and it’s the detail he still brings up first when talking about 1984.
Four years later, Michael is back in Vietnam — sitting in Andy’s chair in Hanoi this time, for another piece.
A Definite Ten
Ask Michael to rate his experience and he doesn’t hesitate.
“Vietnam probably has some of the best tattoo artists in the world,” he says. “I know sometimes flying so far away just to get a tattoo doesn’t make sense. But when you find the right studio and the right artist, all that money doesn’t even matter. All that matters is getting the right piece on you.”
His rating: a definite ten. Andy, listening from across the studio, gets his own ten.
It’s the kind of review that doesn’t feel rehearsed — because it isn’t. Michael found 1984 through research and reputation. He came back because of what happened when he arrived.
His Advice for Anyone Considering It
When asked what he’d tell someone thinking about getting a tattoo at 1984, Michael keeps it simple.
“Just come in. Walk through the door and talk to them.”
He wants people to know there’s no pressure. “They’re not even trying to push you to get a tattoo. They’ll listen to your ideas, look at your references, show you what their artwork is like — and match it all together to make sure it works well.”
That matching is intentional. Each artist at 1984 specializes in a particular style, and the team pairs each client with the person best suited for what they’re looking for. A first visit becomes a real conversation, and a real conversation becomes a piece someone carries for life.
The Experience Behind the Ink
Michael’s story is a familiar one at 1984 Studio. Clients arrive through a search result, a friend’s recommendation, a trip that happens to bring them past a studio in Hội An, Hanoi, or Huế. What tends to stay with them — long after the healing, long after the journey home — is the feeling of having been genuinely taken care of.
Getting a tattoo in Vietnam isn’t just about finding a skilled artist. It’s about finding a team that listens before they draw, and cares about the outcome long after you’ve left the studio. A team that treats your tattoo like it matters as much to them as it does to you.
That’s the experience behind the ink.
Ready to start yours? Our English-speaking team is in Hanoi, Huế, and Hội An — drop us a message on Instagram or book a consultation before you arrive.
1984 Studio — Tattoo & Piercing | Est. 2015 | Hanoi · Huế · Hội An
Hanoi:
37 Ma May, Hoan Kiem booking.hanoi@1984studios.vn
