HANOI, Aug. 25 -- Vietnam expressed regret at the riots that caused damage to foreign invested companies in mid-May and felt sorry for the deaths and injuries of some Chinese workers during the incidents, said a spokesperson of Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

"Vietnam regrets for incidents happening to foreign invested companies in mid-May, including Chinese investors and workers as well as feels sorry for the fact that some Chinese workers were dead and injured during these incidents," said Le Hai Binh, the spokesperson.

Binh made the statement in response to reporter's question over the handling of the incidents which caused disorder in several localities in mid-May, according to an announcement posted on the ministry's website on Monday.

"Vietnamese side will offer kind of humanitarian assistance to Chinese victims. A delegation by Vietnam-China Friendship Association will tour China to send regards to some families of the victims," said Binh.

Vietnam has been implementing measures, policies to help companies reduce damage, and resume normal operation, said Binh, adding that a thorough investigation of the incidents has been underway.

Those who violated laws have been strictly handled while necessary measures have been taken to ensure security, safety for Chinese workers and companies as well as of other countries in Vietnam, said the spokesperson.

In mid-May, a series of riots hit foreign companies in southern and central Vietnam, leaving four Chinese nationals brutally killed, around 20 foreign factories burned down and some 1,100 foreign companies affected.

Also on Monday, both Chinese and Vietnamese sides announced that Le Hong Anh, a Politburo member and standing secretary of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, will visit China from Tuesday to Wednesday as the special envoy of Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee.

"The visit by the Vietnamese official to China is to discuss with Chinese leaders on measures to cool down the situation, and prevent tensions between the two countries from happening again," said Le Hai Binh on Monday.