8 Amazing Vietnamese Tattoo Ideas And Their Meanings

Carry the spirit of your favorite Southeast Asian country with you wherever you go!

Reviewed by Lucas Cummins, Professional Tattoo Artist Lucas Cummins Lucas CumminsProfessional Tattoo Artist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by Gracia Odile, MA Gracia Odile MA linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature) Ramona Sinha MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 11 years
Fact-checked by Pahul Nanra, BA (English Hons) Pahul Nanra BA (English Hons) linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
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Rich culture, stunning art, gorgeous scenery, and delicious food! All these things about Vietnam not only make the country worth visiting but also form perfect tattoo inspirations. That is why Vietnamese tattoos are so popular. These tattoos are perfect for you if you appreciate the country and its natural beauty. They are also ideal for anyone with a connection to Vietnamese traditions and values. They further come in many designs, from small and minimalist to large and tribal. They also include several elements, such as dragons, patterns, and flowers. Depending on these elements, they may have different meanings. This article explores some of these meanings and the best Vietnamese tattoo designs for your next ink session. Read on to get inspired!

Meaning Of Vietnamese Tattoos

Generally, a Vietnamese tattoo may symbolize pride in the country’s culture. Apart from this, the meaning of the design may depend on its elements. Here are some of the most popular ones with their meaning:

  • Dragon: Power, strength, and origin
  • Tiger: Strength and courage
  • Lotus: Purity and enlightenment
  • Conical Hat: Protection
  • Phoenix: Rebirth and transformation
  • Calligraphy: Art and good fortune
  • Turtle: Longevity, good fortune, and wisdom
  • Crane: Grace and spirituality

If you resonate with any of these meanings, the following section has some of the best Vietnamese tattoos for you. Check it out!

8 Amazing Vietnamese Tattoo Ideas And Meaning

Here are some of the best Vietnamese tattoo designs with their respective meanings you can try:

1. Vietnamese Dragon Tattoo

A Vietnamese dragon tattoo on a man’s upper arm
Image: Dall-E/StyleCraze Design Team

Did you know there is a legend about the origin of Vietnamese people? As per it, they descended from a dragon and an immortal. This Asian tattoo features the dragon in a traditional black and gray palette. It perfectly highlights its scales, teeth, and whiskers. We also love the use of negative space in the background to create swirling patterns, symbolizing a sense of mystery.

2. Traditional Vietnamese Tattoo

A traditional Vietnamese tattoo on a woman’s upper arm
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

The tiger symbolizes braveness and strength in Vietnamese culture. This tattoo features the animal in a traditional style. The design highlights the tiger’s features perfectly and is vibrant. Along with the animals, it also features a small flower at the bottom that adds a touch of natural beauty to the design.

3. Vietnamese Tribal Tattoo

A Vietnamese tribal tattoo on a woman’s arm
Image: Dall-E/StyleCraze Design Team

If you love pattern tattoos, this tribal piece is for you. It features an intricate black design inspired by traditional Vietnamese motifs. It represents a rich cultural heritage and also serves as a symbol of strength and protection. You can easily customize this design by incorporating patterns that represent your beliefs and ideas.

4. Vietnamese Lantern Tattoo

A Vietnamese lantern tattoo on a woman’s forearm
Image: Dall-E/StyleCraze Design Team

Vietnam is popular for its Hoi An Lantern Festival. If you love this monthly event that celebrates the full moon, this lantern tattoo is for you. The design features a black and gray palette. It is clean and beautiful and symbolizes prosperity, good luck, joy, and spirituality.

5. Vietnamese Phoenix Tattoo

A Vietnamese phoenix tattoo on the upper back of a man
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Look how stunning and vibrant this design is! It features a phoenix in flight with its wings spread upwards. The watercolor style design has hues of orange, blue, and green and is ideal for women. It symbolizes rebirth and survival. While it looks stunning on the upper back, you may also get it on your arms.

6. Vietnamese Hat Tattoo

A Vietnamese hat tattoo on a woman’s forearm
Image: Dall-E/StyleCraze Design Team

This minimalist Vietnamese tattoo is a symbol of hard work and intense labor. It features a conical hat, also known as non la in Vietnamese. The country’s people still wear it while working in the fields to protect their heads from the sun. The simple tattoo is ideal for both men and women.

7. Vietnamese Pho Bowl Tattoo

A Vietnamese pho bowl tattoo on a woman’s wrist
Image: Dall-E/StyleCraze Design Team

Food lovers, this is your design! It features pho, a Vietnamese dish with broth, noodles, and meat. The design also has a pair of chopsticks and four lines on the top, representing steam. The tattoo symbolizes the simple joy of eating your favorite comforting meals.

8. Vietnamese Flower Tattoo

A Vietnamese flower tattoo on a woman’s forearm
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Lotus, also known as Hao sen, is the national flower of Vietnam. So, if you need a tattoo to show your connection to the nation, this design is apt. The pink lotus features clean lines and is perfectly shaded. It also contains dots above and below it and is symmetrical. The tattoo also symbolizes purity and strength.

Vietnamese tattoos are ideal for men and women who wish to pay tribute to the country’s culture. They also symbolize national pride and may contain various elements with different meanings. For instance, a dragon tattoo may represent power and origin, while a lantern design represents good luck and prosperity. Similarly, the traditional Japanese hat represents hard work and protection. You may choose any of these designs, depending on your beliefs and ideas. The designs are also customizable and fit numerous placements, such as arm, back, and leg.

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Lucas Cummins
Lucas CumminsProfessional Tattoo Artist
Lucas Cummins is an Ohio-based tattoo artist who has been making his mark on the tattoo industry for the past 2 years. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for vibrant expression, Lucas specializes in neo-traditional, color, and abstract style tattoos.

Read full bio of Lucas Cummins
Gracia Odile
Gracia OdileBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Gracia Odile is a teacher-turned-beauty and lifestyle writer with three years of professional experience. She has a bachelor's degree in English from St. Stephen's College, a master's in Anthropology from the University of Madras, and a degree in education from GGSIPU.

Read full bio of Gracia Odile
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Pahul Nanra
Pahul NanraBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Pahul Nanra is a content writer with a penchant for all things fashion and beauty. She has two years of experience in writing across beauty and lifestyle genres. She is an English Honors graduate from Delhi University with a diploma in Fashion Designing from YMCA.

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