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NE Community Resource Guide

I am an Advocate of Singapore's Hawker Culture

A free, year-round programme for primary and secondary students to champion Singapore's UNESCO-recognised Hawker Culture through hands-on activities 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

"I AM AN ADVOCATE OF OUR HAWKER CULTURE!" is a values-in-action programme for students to become advocates to promote and raise awareness of Hawker Culture as our shared heritage. To continue the vibrancy of hawker centres and engage with patrons in a fun-filled and educational activities 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 and to continue visiting hawker centres with families and friends.

Details

The programme provides students the opportunities to grow and develop to be an advocate of Singapore's Hawker Culture. Students are encouraged to engage with patrons and promote awareness on the importance of our shared Hawker Culture, and eventually to be an Advocate for families and friends.

Learning Objectives

Students will learn to:

  • Exercise their creativity and build teamwork through brainstorming sessions.

  • Encourage character building, increase level of confidence and inculcate leadership capabilities through public interactions and participation.

  • Exploration and learning about the history and evolution of Singapore's Hawker Culture.

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

Relevant Commemorative Days: National Day

Mode of registration: By email.

Due Date for registration: 6 weeks prior the selected date of the Values-In Action programme, subject to NEA's approval.

Contact: sghawkerculture@nea.gov.sg

Flyer for VIA Programme Hawker Culture at East Coast Lagoon Food Village listing six learning objectives.

East Coast Lagoon Food Village commenced operations in 1978. The hawker centre underwent several major upgrading exercises in 1988, 1992 and 2002. During the 2002 revamp, the structure of the new food centre was transformed to reflect Balinese-style architecture to look resort-like, to make full use of its unique location next to the beach.