river, northern Vietnam, one of the longest of the region, rising in the northwest. It flows southeastward through Laos for about 50 miles (80 km), cutting gorges through uplands to reach the plains region at which northern Vietnam begins to narrow. The river enters the Gulf of Tonkin, 65 miles (105 km) south of Hanoi, after a course of 250 miles (400 km). Like the Red River (Song Hong) to the north, it has an irregular regime with maximum flow toward the end of the summer. The Ma River delta differs, however, from that of the Red River because of its narrowness and the presence of sandy soil. Thanh Hoa town lies about 9 miles (14 km) upstream from the river mouth. Sampans can navigate 60 miles (100 km) upstream to Phan Y.