Faceless City

Phạm Thành Long


A photography project by Phạm Thành Long exploring the practice of wearing face masks among motorbike riders in Hanoi.

You're greeted warmly by a stranger on a motorbike, but you can’t see their smile—only hear their voice. You walk into a bank where every face is covered, yet the guards remain perfectly calm.

Welcome to a city of eight million souls in constant motion. Here, the "face" of the crowd is a tapestry of fabric. Blue, black, and white; stripes, flowers, and neon hues. In this restless urban sprawl, the individual is hidden, replaced by a colorful, masked anonymity that keeps the city moving.

While masks are a staple for city riders, layering them with bulky sun-protective gear can be a safety hazard, compromising a rider's vision and agility. But the trade-off feels necessary. From scorching heat and biting cold to the relentless assault of road dust and construction debris—and the invisible threat of fine dust—the reasons to cover up are simply too many to ignore.


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