About Rae Ink — Est. 2025

Built around restraint.

A minimalist tattoo and piercing studio in District 3, Saigon — where considered design comes before the needle, and every piece earns the right to be permanent.

Saigon · Vietnam One Resident Artist Custom Brief Only
The Origin · 01

Opened 2025. One quiet philosophy.

In 2025, Rae Ink opened its doors on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu — a single room, one resident artist, one quiet philosophy.

The aim wasn't to be the busiest tattoo studio in Ho Chi Minh, or the loudest. It was to slow the process down — to give each piece the time, the brief, and the sketch it deserves before any ink touches skin.

Fifteen years of tattooing came together in that opening: techniques learned across Japanese irezumi, realism black and grey, ornamental, blackwork, and Maori traditions.

Five disciplines, one hand, one studio.

Manifesto · 02

Five things we believe.

01

Design comes first

Every piece begins with a brief and a conversation, then a sketch, then a refinement. The needle is the last step, not the first.

02

Restraint over noise

Clean lines, considered placement, work that reads as confidently in five years as it does the day it heals.

03

One standard

A fine ornamental line and a full Japanese sleeve are held to the same technical bar. The discipline shifts; the standard doesn't.

04

Time, not speed

A tattoo earns the right to be permanent. That right is earned through the brief, the sketch, and the conversation — not the rush.

05

Custom only

No flash sheets, no shortcuts. If it's permanent, it's yours.

How we work · 03

The work begins before the needle.

At Rae Ink, every piece starts with a brief — references, placement, scale. A deposit secures your slot, not as a transaction but as a commitment between artist and client.

From there: design, refinement, finalisation. Only then, ink. Walk-ins are welcome during open hours, though appointments are preferred — they allow time for the conversation that should precede any permanent mark.

Touch-ups within the first year are part of the work, not an add-on. If a line breaks or fades within twelve months, you return.

Read the full process and services
The Studio · 04

District 3, Saigon.

Off Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, in a quieter pocket of District 3, the studio is built around natural light and clean lines. Room for the work, for the client, and for the time the process needs.

Saigon has a tradition of small, considered studios that know their craft. Rae Ink is proud to add to that conversation.

Visit the Studio
Hung Pop — Resident Tattoo Artist at Rae Ink, Ho Chi Minh
Resident Artist · 05

Behind the work: Hung Pop.

Japanese · Realism B&G · Ornamental · Blackwork · Maori

Fifteen years behind the machine. Five disciplines, one hand. One principle: passion in every line.

Read the full bio
Ready · 06

Start with a brief.

Send through references, placement, rough size — anything you have. We'll match you with the right approach and take it from there.