Phủ Lý is the capital city of Hà Nam Province of Vietnam 60 km south of Hanoi on the river Đáy.
Phủ Lý was taken by the French canonnière l'Espingole and 28 men captained by Adrien-Paul Balny d'Avricourt on October 26 1873, shortly before Balny's death together with Francis Garnier at Hanoi's West Gate.
In the aftermath of World War II, Phủ Lý was where a significant number of VNQDĐ leaders were captured by the Viet Cong in 1946. The city was attacked by retreating French forces on June 30 1954, shortly before the country was liberated.
It was almost completely destroyed by the Americans in five days of bombing between July 14 and November 5, 1966.
Michael Maclear writes of the area afterwards as 'a wasteland without life':
Phủ Lý railway station, Hà Nam
Phủ Lý railway station, Hà Nam
21B National Highway, the road from Phủ Lý to Nam Định
21B National Highway, the road from Phủ Lý to Nam Định
Phủ Lý City Center, Hà Nam
Phủ Lý City Center, Hà Nam
It's cold outside in the middle of the winter and my brain's in the fridge
(Would you know what shape I'm in)
Point things in the better I'm lucky if I even give in to the sin
(Would you know what shape I'm in)
And it's all been luck until now
Caught in the race of up to down
Photography mixed in the monogamy keepin' my world happenin'
(would you know what shape I'm in)
I know that I'm better when I know that you are better and I'll hold you again
(would you know what shape I'm in)
And its all been luck until now
Caught in the race of up to down
And it's all been luck until now
I only hope that you're still 'round me now
And it's gonna rage
it's gonna stay with you always
Every second counts on you to prove you're off the ground
It's cold outside in the middle of the winter and my brains in the fridge
Point things in the better I'm lucky if I even give in to the sin
And its all been luck until now
And its all been luck until now
And its all been luck until now
Caught in the race of up to down now
And its all been luck until now
Caught in the race of up to down
And it's all been luck until now
I only hope that you're still 'round me