Red River

Flowing from China through Vietnam to the South China Sea, the Red River is also known as the Yuan Jiang, which means "Primary River."

The river begins in China's Yunnan province. It flows generally southeast, passing through Dai minority areas before leaving China through Yunnan's Honghe Autonomous Prefecture. It enters Vietnam through Lao Cai province, and eventually passes by the eastern edge of the Vietnamese capital Hanoi. Tonkin is located on the river delta. In colonial days, the French and other powers attempted to establish the Red River as a trading artery with China, with some success. The Black River is the Red River's chief tributary