On 16 December 2020, Hawker Culture in Singapore was successfully inscribed as Singapore's first element on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The two-year long journey began on 19 August 2018 when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced Singapore's intention to nominate Hawker Culture in Singapore. The inscription is co-led by National Heritage Board, National Environment Agency and The Federation of Merchants' Associations, Singapore with strong support from hawkers' associations, schools, corporations, community groups, and the general public who actively came forward to show their support for the bid.

Hawker Culture in Singapore is an integral part of the daily lives of Singaporeans. People from all walks of life, regardless of age, race or social strata, gather at hawker centres to dine and bond over a diverse variety of dishes prepared by our hawkers. Many of our hawker dishes originated from the food cultures of different immigrant groups who settled in Singapore and have evolved over time to become the distinctive local dishes that we love, forming an important part of our rich food heritage.

Our hawkers, comprising individuals of all races, gender and age, and their repertoire of skills are at the heart of our Hawker Culture. Singapore's Hawker Culture is thriving because of their hard work and creativity, as they continue to adapt to changing times and community needs. Our hawkers are well regarded for their mastery of the hawker culinary traditions, and it is important that their knowledge, culinary skills and values are passed on through the generations.

Over the years, this unique combination of food, space and community has become a microcosm of Singapore's multicultural society. Today, hawker centres spread across the island function as community dining rooms and vibrant communal spaces which continue to serve the needs of diverse communities in residential, recreational and business districts.

This set of stamps is part of Singapore's ongoing efforts to commemorate the successful inscription of Hawker Culture in Singapore on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.