A fermented fish sauce called nuoc mam is the main seasoning used for flavoring dishes or dipping food. Abundant local fruits include watermelon, papaya, bananas, and citrus fruits. Badminton, table tennis, swimming, and tennis are popular in cities. Only young, unmarried women tend to engage in sports. Urban people of all ages like to get out early in the morning to jog, do tai chi or yoga, or exercise.
Men play Chinese checkers in their leisure time.
Rural people have less leisure but spend it in the company of friends and relatives. Every commune has a clinic, but it may lack modern medicine for other supplies. Traditional healing and natural medicines play an important role in health care. People grow herbs and use local raw materials to make medicine. Malnutrition affects a large proportion of rural children.