VietNamNet Bridge – There’s little in comparison between Vietnam and Dundee, the fourth largest city in Scotland.

TEA TIME: Hue enjoys afternoon tea, one of her favourite pastimes.

You won’t find a Vietnamese restaurant there and if you were to ask for a cup of coffee made from egg whites in a greasy spoon cafe, chances are you’ll get a stare like you were from another planet.

But flying the flag for a country some 10,000 kilometres away from the east coast of Scotland is Hue Nguyen.

This young artist is building a reputation as one of the best tattooists around.

A regular face on MTV UK’s reality TV show, Just Tattoo of Us, Hue may not have the Vietnamese accent, but her roots are firmly grounded in Southeast Asia.

“I was born and raised in London,” said Hue, whose parents are from the Xuan Hoa Commune in the Phu Yen Province.

“My sisters and one of my brothers where born in Vietnam but there were no schools in the area. After college I did my degree in Dundee as one brother moved there to study too.”

And Dundee is now home.

“Where my family is from compared to Dundee is so opposite to each other,” she said. 

“My parents’ home is still a very simple way of life fishing and farming and trading with the neighbours. Dundee is an up and coming city and now home to a V&A Museum.

“It is full of hotels and businesses. The only similarity is they are both close to water.”

A fear of flying until recently prevented Hue from visiting the country, but once she overcame her anxieties she was here in a flash.

“Sadly I have only been once,” admitted Hue.

“I used to be scared of flying so I didn’t go anywhere. But eventually I went and met my family and had the best time. So I will be back. My mum visits a lot.

“My parents were refugees and ended up in the UK during the Viet Nam War. My dad was a fisherman and took the risk to bring his family to safety on his boat.

“Being in the UK led me to Dundee to do a degree for my dad. He loves education but sadly was unable to study due to providing for his family.”

After completing her degree, Hue combined her education in business with her natural artistic talents.

“I have always loved tattooing but it is a taboo in my culture and my family. But after getting a degree in business studies my dad felt I had a secure backing to go for my dream. So I finally started my portfolio and got an apprenticeship. 

“I started out as a realism artist, as most artists choose just one style. That didn’t last as I love all art and felt I didn’t have to corner myself to one style.

“So now I do all styles of tattooing, realistic, abstract, colour, old school, etc. I’m influenced by everyday life, buildings, weather, people and fashion. I see things and they inspire me.”

Appearing on national television has not done Hue any harm when it comes to attracting new business, but what keeps clients coming back is her natural talent.

Renowned music PR manager Murray Chalmers is one such regular.

“When I first decided to have a tattoo I heard about this fabulous person called Hue. I couldn’t believe she lived here in Dundee,” said Chalmers, who manages PR for some of the biggest names in pop music.

“Coming back to live here after being in London for many years, I was struck how you had to search for glamour amongst the grit, just like in punk times when I grew up here. Hue is glamour AND grit. She’s the real deal.

“Our first tattoo was the David Bowie Aladdin Sane flash. Since then we’ve explored the history of art on my body - Schiele, Klimt, Warhol, Keith Haring - and also icons like Siouxsie Sioux and Grace Jones.

CHILDHOOD: Hue (left) plays with her older brother in London, UK. TV STAR: Hue (standing second from left) with the cast of MTVUK’s Just Tattoo of Us. Photo MTVUK HARD AT IT: Hue works on a client.

 “Hue gets it. In a world of conformity and blandness she stands out as a beacon of creativity and joy.

“She’s also one of the nicest, most spiritual people I’ve met in my life, and a true inspiration of positivity in a world where it’s often difficult to remain so. What a force of nature she is! She’s the best.”

As Vietnam as a country grows, tattoos are no longer seen as taboo, as was often the case in the past.

Last year hundreds of tattoo artists from around the world descended on Hanoi for a massive convention.

Hue’s advice to young tattoo artists is simple.

“You need to believe and never give up,” she said.

“I know that sounds a bit clichéd but it’s true. I think today we forget to dream and follow our hearts.

“I still believe in the magic of the mountain god and water dragon - the legends that made Vietnam what it is today. Anything is possible, just don’t hold back.

“Get inspired from everything around you and put in the hard work. So believe, dream, wish, stay positive and put in the hard work.

“Everything else will come when the time is right.”

As a city, Dundee was cruelly denied the opportunity to compete for the title of European Capital of Culture after Britain voted to leave Europe.

But with residents like Hue working there, it is clear Dundee’s culture spreads far further afield than the borders of the European Union. 

By Paul Kennedy

Source: VNS