# Red River

> river in southwest China and northern Vietnam

**Wikidata**: [Q206850](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206850)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_(Asia))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/red-river-q206850-2

## Summary
The Red River is a major river system located in southwest China and northern Vietnam, flowing through the provinces of Yunnan and Lào Cai. It is also known by several aliases including the Yuan River, Song Cai, and Hong River, serving as a critical geographical feature connecting the two nations.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: River (larger natural watercourse)
- **Geographic Location**: Southwest China and northern Vietnam
- **Aliases**: Yuan River, Song Cai, Hong River, Sông Cái
- **Coordinates (Source 1)**: 25.8333°N, 101.3167°E
- **Coordinates (Source 2)**: 20.2708°N, 106.5628°E
- **Wikipedia Title**: Red River (Asia)
- **Wikidata Description**: River in southwest China and northern Vietnam
- **Related Administrative Region**: Lào Cai (Province of Vietnam)
- **Related Country**: People's Republic of China
- **Related Country**: Vietnam
- **Sitelink Count**: 62 (Wikipedia)
- **Classification**: Thing (Geographical feature)

## FAQs
**What are the alternative names for the Red River?**
The river is known by multiple names across different languages and regions, including Yuan River, Song Cai, Hong River, and Sông Cái. These aliases reflect its historical and cultural significance in both Chinese and Vietnamese contexts.

**Where does the Red River flow geographically?**
The river traverses southwest China and extends into northern Vietnam. It is specifically associated with the Lào Cai province in Vietnam and flows through the broader region connecting the two nations.

**How is the Red River classified in geographical databases?**
In knowledge bases, the Red River is classified as a "Thing" representing a larger natural watercourse. It holds a significant presence with 62 Wikipedia sitelinks and is described specifically as a river in southwest China and northern Vietnam.

## Why It Matters
The Red River serves as a vital hydrological and geopolitical link between the People's Republic of China and Vietnam, facilitating cross-border ecological and economic interactions. As a major river system in Southeast Asia, it supports the agricultural and demographic centers of northern Vietnam and southwest China. Its presence defines the landscape of the Lào Cai province and contributes to the regional water management and biodiversity of the area. The river's multiple names and extensive documentation highlight its historical importance as a boundary and a resource for the civilizations that have developed along its banks.

## Notable For
- **Cross-Border Presence**: Flows through both southwest China and northern Vietnam, acting as a transnational waterway.
- **Multiple Aliases**: Recognized globally under various names including Yuan River, Song Cai, Hong River, and Sông Cái.
- **Geographic Span**: Connects the Yunnan region of China with the Lào Cai province of Vietnam.
- **Data Prominence**: Maintains 62 Wikipedia sitelinks, indicating high informational relevance.
- **Regional Significance**: A defining geographical feature for the northern Vietnamese highlands and southwestern Chinese borderlands.

## Body

### Geographic Identity and Classification
The Red River is a significant natural watercourse categorized as a "Thing" within geographical knowledge systems. It is explicitly defined as a river located in southwest China and northern Vietnam. The entity is associated with the Wikipedia title "Red River (Asia)" and carries the Wikidata description "river in southwest China and northern Vietnam." It is linked to the broader category of rivers, which includes 275 related sitelinks in the knowledge base. The river's physical presence is marked by two distinct coordinate sets: one at 25.8333°N, 101.3167°E and another at 20.2708°N, 106.5628°E, reflecting its extensive course.

### Nomenclature and Aliases
The river is known by a variety of names that reflect its usage in different linguistic and cultural contexts. Primary aliases include the Yuan River, Song Cai, Hong River, and Sông Cái. These names are often used interchangeably in historical and modern geographical references. The diversity of names underscores the river's importance to both Chinese and Vietnamese populations. The term "Hong River" is a direct translation of "Red River," while "Sông Cái" is the Vietnamese designation.

### Administrative and Political Context
The Red River flows through specific administrative regions that are critical to its identity. In Vietnam, it is closely associated with Lào Cai, a province located in the northern part of the country. Lào Cai is a "Thing" classified as a province of Vietnam, with the country code . The river also traverses the territory of the People's Republic of China, a sovereign socialist state in East Asia. The PRC, founded on October 1, 1949, shares a border with Vietnam, and the Red River serves as a natural feature within this border region. The river's path connects the Chinese province of Yunnan (implied by "southwest China") with the Vietnamese province of Lào Cai.

### Regional Connections and Neighbors
The river's location places it at the intersection of two major nations: the People's Republic of China and Vietnam. China, with a population of approximately 1.44 billion and a capital in Beijing, borders Vietnam to the north. Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam with its capital in Hanoi, is bordered by China, Laos, and Cambodia. The Red River specifically marks a portion of the boundary or flow path between these two countries. The river's presence in the Lào Cai province highlights the connectivity between the Chinese highlands and the Vietnamese lowlands.

### Data and Documentation
The Red River is a well-documented entity in digital knowledge bases. It has a sitelink count of 62 on Wikipedia, indicating a substantial amount of dedicated content. The entity is linked to the broader "river" category, which has 275 sitelinks, showing its place within a larger network of waterways. The structured data includes specific coordinates and aliases, ensuring precise identification. The source material explicitly notes that no SEO data is available yet, but the existing factual data is robust regarding its location and names. The entity is distinct from other rivers due to its specific cross-border nature between China and Vietnam.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. GeoNames
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
6. KBpedia