FAQ
Your questions about getting tattooed in Da Nang
Cost, safety, hygiene, aftercare and booking. Can’t find your question? Message us on WhatsApp.
Choosing a studio
The best studio is the one with the right artist for your style, strict hygiene and honest pricing. Dragon City Ink brings all three together: a premium tattoo and piercing studio in An Thượng since 2021, with 9 specialist artists, 2 private rooms and more than 485 five-star Google reviews. Our founder has judged over 50 international tattoo contests, so every tattoo we make is held to a world-class standard.
Our goal is simple: to give you the best tattoo experience in Da Nang, and in Vietnam. Getting tattooed is never fully comfortable, so we do everything we can to make it as comfortable as possible. Above all, we work to create a piece of art that matches the tattoo you have been dreaming of.
The good news: the artistic level in Da Nang, and in Vietnam in general, is surprisingly high. Many Vietnamese artists compete at international level. Our founder has judged tattoo contests at conventions around the world, and he is consistently impressed by the quality of work coming out of Vietnam today.
Look for work in the exact style you want, not just a nice Instagram feed, and make sure the photos really come from that studio. Every tattoo made at Dragon City Ink is photographed on our signature red wall, as proof it was made here. Then read recent Google reviews, visit for a free consultation, and only start once the price is agreed.
Tell us your idea and we match it with the specialist who does it best. Our team covers traditional Asian dragons, black and grey and colour realism, surrealism, blackwork, custom illustrative designs, fine line, lettering, graphic work, microrealism and Vietnamese-inspired designs. Meet the artists →
Yes. Our team speaks English, Vietnamese, Chinese, Italian, Russian and Dutch. Most of our clients are international travellers, so everything from your first message to your aftercare is easy in English.
We are at 37-39 An Thượng 32, Ngũ Hành Sơn, Đà Nẵng, in the An Thượng neighbourhood close to Mỹ Khê Beach. We are open every day from 10:00 to 20:00. Get directions →
Safety and hygiene
Yes, as long as you choose your studio carefully. Hygiene standards vary a lot from shop to shop in Vietnam, so always ask how a studio cleans its equipment and what it throws away after each client. At Dragon City Ink everything that touches your skin is single-use or sterilised, and every surface is cleaned with medical-grade products between clients.
Da Nang has a fast-growing tattoo scene, and quality and hygiene differ widely between studios. Choose a studio with a clean, private working area, verified reviews and artists who explain their process. We are happy to show you our setup and answer every question before you decide.
- Sterile, single-use needle cartridges, opened in front of you.
- Fresh gloves, and protective film on the machine, cables and bottles for every client.
- Ink poured into single-use caps and never reused.
- Medical-grade disinfectant on every surface before and after each session.
- Piercing tools sterilised in an autoclave.
- Everything disposable is thrown away after your session.
Yes. Every needle cartridge is sterile, sealed and single-use. It is opened in front of you and thrown away after your session, never reused on anyone else. We use OG cartridges, made by one of the world’s leading cartridge manufacturers.
We use professional tattoo inks from the world’s leading manufacturers, imported directly, including Dynamic, Raw Ink, Xtreme Ink, Solid Ink and World Famous Ink. Ink is poured fresh into single-use caps for each client and never reused. If you have allergies or sensitive skin, tell us at your consultation.
Please tell us before your session. Every client fills in a consent form about pregnancy, skin conditions and medical history, such as diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy or blood disorders. If you are pregnant or nursing, we recommend waiting. We do not tattoo anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Prices and booking
At Dragon City Ink, every tattoo has one fixed price per piece, agreed before we start. As a guide:
- Small tattoos: from 1,000,000 VND (about US$40)
- Around 5 × 5 cm: about 1,500,000–3,000,000 VND (about US$60–115)
- Around 10 × 10 cm: about 4,000,000–8,000,000 VND (about US$150–300)
- Sleeve: from about 30,000,000 VND (about US$1,150)
- Back piece: from about 45,000,000–50,000,000 VND (about US$1,700–1,900)
These are starting prices. The final price depends on the size, detail and placement of the design, on your body (a sleeve on a petite arm takes much less time than on a tall, broad one) and on the artist. Prices vary from artist to artist according to their experience, artistic skill, speed and specialty, so a piece by one of our most experienced artists, or by a specialist in that style, can cost noticeably more. Your price is always agreed before we start, and it only changes if you ask for changes to the design along the way.
An honest quote needs the final design, size and placement on your body. Send us your idea, the size and your budget on WhatsApp and we will tell you if it is realistic. We then finalise everything in person and give you a fixed price before you commit.
If you choose one of our flash designs or bring your own, there is no extra charge for the design, and small changes are free. For a completely new design drawn from scratch, we ask for a deposit to start the drawing, and you get up to 3 revisions free of charge.
Yes. A deposit secures your appointment and your artist’s time, and the full amount is deducted from the final price of your tattoo. Deposits are not refundable: they are a commitment on both sides to finish your tattoo together.
Yes, walk-ins are welcome every day from 10:00 to 20:00. If you want a specific artist or a larger custom piece, book a few days ahead so we can prepare your design.
Yes. Most of our clients are travellers. Message us before you arrive with your idea, size, placement and travel dates, and we will match you with the right artist and reserve your slot. Tip: plan your beach and pool days before your tattoo, because you should not swim while it heals.
We accept cash, all major credit and debit cards, and QR code payments from Vietnamese banks.
Yes. We have a lot of experience covering old, faded or unwanted tattoos. Several of our artists specialise in cover-ups, including large projects such as full sleeves and back pieces. Send us a photo of your current tattoo and we will tell you what is possible.
Yes. Our artists have experience tattooing every skin tone, including deep and darker skin. They adapt the design, line weight and colour choice to your skin, so your tattoo looks bold and heals beautifully.
Your session
- Sleep well and eat a proper meal before you come.
- Drink plenty of water, and no alcohol for 24 hours before.
- Avoid sunburn on the area you want tattooed.
- Wear comfortable clothes that give easy access to the placement.
A little, but less than most people expect. It feels like a hot scratch. Bony areas such as ribs, feet and the inner arm are more sensitive than the outer arm, thigh or calf. Your artist will take breaks whenever you need one.
You need to be at least 18 years old. Under 18, we can only tattoo you with the consent of both parents. Please bring a photo ID to your appointment.
Small tattoos can be finished in under an hour. Medium pieces usually take a few hours, and large projects such as sleeves or back pieces are split into several sessions. We give you a time estimate together with your price.
Aftercare and travel
- We cover your fresh tattoo with a protective film. Keep it on for as long as your artist tells you.
- For the first couple of days, let the tattoo dry and breathe. Wash it gently with clean water and mild, unscented soap, then pat it dry.
- After that, apply a thin layer of aftercare cream 2–3 times a day.
- Don’t scratch or pick at it while it peels.
- Keep it out of the sun, the sea, pools and saunas until it has healed.
The surface usually heals in 2 to 3 weeks, after the peeling stops. The deeper layers of skin take a few months to fully settle, so keep moisturising and protecting it from the sun.
Not until it has healed, usually about 2 weeks. A fresh tattoo is an open wound, and sea water, pools and lakes can cause infection and fade the ink. If you are on a beach holiday, the best plan is to get tattooed near the end of your trip.
Keep a fresh tattoo out of direct sun and cover it with loose clothing while it heals. Once healed, protect it with a high-SPF sunscreen to keep the colours and lines sharp for years.
Yes. Wear loose clothing over the tattoo, keep it clean, and bring your aftercare cream in your hand luggage. For long flights, wash your hands before touching it and moisturise lightly when it feels tight.
Some redness, swelling and peeling are normal in the first days. If redness spreads, the tattoo becomes hot, swollen or painful, or you get a fever, see a doctor and message us straight away so we can help.
Piercing
Never. All our piercings are done with sterile, single-use needles, which are gentler and more precise than a gun. Jewellery and tools are sterilised in an autoclave before your appointment.
Noriko, our co-owner and lead piercer. She trained with leading professional piercers at Trust Mannheim in Germany and pierces in our private piercing room. More about piercing →
Use a sterile saline spray or wipe twice a day, morning and evening, and dry gently with clean gauze. Don’t twist the jewellery, avoid creams and make-up on the piercing, and leave the jewellery in until it has fully healed.
Still have a question?
Message us and Muoi, our shop manager, will help you plan your tattoo and match you with the right artist.