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NE Community Resource Guide

National Environment Agency: Discovery Journey (Hawker Culture As A Nation)

Explore Singapore's UNESCO-listed Hawker Culture through this free school programme. Students learn about hawker heritage, food traditions, and community bonds at hawker centres.

Last updated 20 May 2026

Hawker Culture in Singapore was officially inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020.

The Discovery Journey – Hawker Culture as A Nation, is a programme that aims to raise awareness of Hawker Culture as our shared heritage. Discover the journey through our Food (hawkerfare), People (hawkers), and Place (hawker centres) where it serves as community dining rooms for people from diverse backgrounds to bond and interact through their shared love for food. Ultimately for the younger generations to continue visiting hawker centres with families and friends.

Details

The programme is conducted by facilitators appointed by NEA. The programme is designed to encourage students to learn, observe, reflect, and appreciate Singapore’s Hawker Culture, as an integral way of life in Singapore providing a sense of our multicultural identity and continuity for the nation over generations through urbanisation and development.

Learning Objectives

Students will learn:

HISTORY, HERITAGE AND CULTURE

  • Discover the evolution of our hawkers and advancement of our hawker centres.

NATIONAL EDUCATION

  • Inculcate community-bonding and graciousness amongst nation.

SAFEGUARDING FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

  • Sustain and safeguard the hawker culture.

  • Learn about our unique food culture, hawker trade and culinary practices.

  • Create vibrancy in our hawker centres and appreciate them as community dining rooms.

Target Audience: Primary 1- 6 students, Secondary 1 - 5 students

Runtime: All year round

Fee: Complimentary

Modality: In-person

Duration of Session: 1.5-2 hours

Capacity: Minimum: 20 students

Relevant Commemorative Days: National Day

How to register? By email.

Due Date for registration: 6 weeks prior the selected date of the discovery journey programme, subject to NEA's approval.

Contact: sghawkerculture@nea.gov.sg

Tiong Bahru Market building with a curved facade, palm tree, red decorations, and cars parked outside.

Tiong Bahru Market opened in 1951 as Seng Poh Road Market. The old market functioned like a town centre for public meetings and political rallies.

Pasar Geylang Serai market with red angular roofs, tropical plants, and people walking outside under blue sky.

Geylang Serai Market was opened in 1964 by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and rebuilt in 2009 at it's present premise. The stunning architecture is inspired by the Malay community's cultural.