Vietnam is committed to ensuring the safety of foreign citizens.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that it will use all necessary measures to ensure the safety of people and property of foreign businesses, after some protests against China's oil rig turned violent.

A group of female workers protested against the vandalism and violence of many people in Binh Duong. Photo: Nguyet Trieu.

At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press conference this afternoon, spokesperson Le Hai Binh reiterated the incident that occurred in Binh Duong on May 13th, in which some individuals exploited a peaceful march to incite workers to vandalize business property and disrupt public order. Immediately after the incident, Vietnamese authorities promptly suppressed and severely punished those who incited the violence.

"The acts of property destruction were instigated by certain individuals. These actions are condemned by the state and the vast majority of the Vietnamese people," Mr. Binh said.

"We affirm that we will use all necessary measures to ensure the safety of people and property, and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of businesses, including Taiwanese businesses, throughout Vietnam, as well as in Binh Duong."

Referring to a similar incident that occurred in Ha Tinh yesterday, Mr. Binh cited information from provincial authorities stating that the brawl stemmed from a conflict between two groups of workers, resulting in one death and several injuries. Authorities are urgently investigating the incident, arresting the perpetrators, and transporting the injured to the hospital.

He also dismissed a foreign news agency's report that 20 people died in clashes last night in Ha Tinh. "That information is unfounded," Mr. Binh said.

"Expressing patriotism and the determination to protect sovereignty is perfectly legitimate and natural; however, such expression must comply with the law and be in line with friendly relations with nations around the world," Mr. Binh affirmed.

According to him, the situation in those localities has now stabilized. In terms of trade, commerce in the border area between Vietnam and China is still proceeding normally.

Earlier, on May 13th, approximately 19,000 workers in Binh Duong organized a march to protest China's illegal placement of an oil rig in Vietnamese waters. Initially, the march was peaceful; however, some individuals were later incited, breaking down the gates of businesses, vandalizing, looting, demanding that business owners allow workers to stop working, and inciting these workers to join the protest.

Hundreds of companies were broken into and had their property vandalized, mostly Chinese, Taiwanese, and South Korean companies, including 15 businesses whose factories were burned down, resulting in billions of dong in damages.

By yesterday, as the situation in Binh Duong had gradually come under control, in Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh province, a group of extremists incited thousands of workers to march to the Formosa plant to confront Chinese workers, leading to clashes. These individuals also vandalized company buildings and set fire to two blast furnaces in the iron and steel plant. The incident lasted until nearly midnight before being brought under control, resulting in one death and dozens of injuries.

Binh Duong police have arrested more than 400 people suspected of inciting workers to riot in industrial zones in the area, while 76 individuals have also been detained by Ha Tinh police for investigation.

According to VNexpress