Welcome to another episode of Traveloka taking you to all the iconic tourist attractions in Hanoi, and within this blog we shall discover more about One Pillar Pagoda: An iconic spiritual symbol of Hanoi. Spoiler: The pagoda is really built on one pillar with impressive architecture with meaningful historic story to it. Let’s get started!

The remarkable story of One Pillar Pagoda begins in the winter of 1049, during the reign of Emperor Lý Thái Tông of the Lý Dynasty. According to cherished Vietnamese folklore, the childless emperor found himself tormented by his inability to produce an heir for the throne. Night after night, he would visit Buddhist temples throughout his kingdom, offering fervent prayers to the Buddha for the blessing of a son.

Then came the pivotal dream that would change Vietnamese architectural history forever. In his vision, Emperor Lý Thái Tông encountered Phật Bà Quan Âm, the Goddess of Mercy, seated majestically upon a luminous thousand-petaled lotus flower in the middle of a pristine lake. The benevolent goddess, surrounded by radiant halos of divine light, gently placed a baby boy into the emperor's waiting arms - a sign of the blessing he had so desperately sought.

Upon awakening, the emperor shared this profound experience with his court and, guided by the wisdom of a revered monk named Thiện Tuệ, decided to honor the goddess's divine intervention. When the emperor's peasant bride subsequently bore him a son, his gratitude knew no bounds. To express his deep appreciation and ensure continued blessings, he commissioned the construction of a unique pagoda that would mirror the lotus throne from his sacred dream.

The One Pillar Pagoda is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with free admission for Vietnamese citizens and a modest fee of 25,000 VND (approximately $1 USD) for international visitors. As part of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the pagoda's operating hours may occasionally vary depending on special events or maintenance schedules.

The One Pillar Pagoda stands as a testament to the sophisticated understanding of both Buddhist symbolism and structural engineering possessed by 11th-century Vietnamese architects, designed to replicate a lotus blossom rising from the waters of suffering toward enlightenment. Although the current structure has been restored several times, including the use of reinforced concrete for the main pillar (replacing the original wooden pillar and later stone pillar), it still retains the symbolic meaning.

The pagoda's foundation rests upon a meticulously crafted stone pillar composed of two skillfully stacked blocks, creating an illusion of a single, seamless column emerging from Linh Chiểu Pond. Eight wooden beams, representing the eight petals of a lotus flower, support the square wooden structure above, each measuring three meters on each side. These beams were joined with such precision that the entire edifice remains remarkably stable despite its seemingly precarious position.

The roof of One Pillar Pagoda, covered with traditional dragon-scale tiles that have acquired a patina of moss over the centuries, curves upward at all four corners like sword blades reaching toward the heavens. Crowning this magnificent structure is the exquisite carving of "double dragons adoring the moon" - two dragons with intertwined tails turning their heads toward a central moon, symbolizing the harmony between yin and yang energies and representing fertility in Vietnamese spiritual architecture.

As Vietnam continues its rapid modernization and urban development, the One Pillar Pagoda stands as an anchor to the nation's spiritual and cultural roots. Its lotus-shaped silhouette rising from tranquil waters serves as a daily reminder to Hanoi's millions of residents that beauty, wisdom, and transcendence can emerge from any circumstances, no matter how challenging.

Furthermore, its distinctive form has become synonymous with Hanoi itself, appearing in tourism materials, cultural presentations, and artistic representations of the capital city. For many Vietnamese, the sight of the One Pillar Pagoda evokes deep feelings of home, heritage, and spiritual connection.

Imagine walking through 1,000 years of history in a single afternoon. The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is like a giant time capsule buried beneath modern Hanoi, where archaeologists have uncovered layer upon layer of Vietnam's imperial past. This UNESCO World Heritage Site served as the country's political headquarters for eight centuries, hosting everything from royal coronations to military strategy meetings that shaped Southeast Asian history.

What makes this place truly remarkable is that you can literally see different time periods stacked on top of each other - ancient palace foundations from the 11th century lie directly beneath French colonial military buildings, which in turn sit above secret underground bunkers used during the Vietnam War. The towering Doan Mon gate, with its distinctive curved rooflines and intricate carvings, once welcomed foreign ambassadors and dignitaries to the imperial court.

Today, visitors can touch 900-year-old ceramic tiles decorated with dancing dragons, then walk a few steps to examine radio equipment used by Vietnamese generals in the 1960s. It's history you can actually feel, where each excavated layer tells a different chapter of Vietnam's incredible story of survival and reinvention.

Apart from these stunning landmarks, you can check out more of Hanoi’s interesting activities to learn more about the culture and history of Vietnam:

The Temple of Literature is Vietnam's first university, emerging from the bustling streets of Hanoi as a tranquil oasis of learning and Confucian tradition. Established in 1070 and dedicated to literature, education, and the veneration of Confucius, the Temple of Literature represents over a millennium of Vietnamese scholarly pursuit. Its five courtyards unfold like chapters in a book, each revealing layers of architectural beauty and historical significance.

The temple's most treasured features include the ancient stelae of doctorate holders, stone tablets honoring Vietnam's earliest scholars that have survived centuries of war and weathering. Visitors today can wander through peaceful gardens where ancient trees provide shade for contemplation, examine traditional Vietnamese architecture at its finest, and gain insight into the deep respect for education that has shaped Vietnamese culture for generations.

The Vietnam Military History Museum is one of Vietnam's most significant repositories of military heritage. It recently relocated to a spectacular new facility that opened in November 2024. Now situated at Km 6+500 Thang Long Boulevard in Nam Tu Liem District, this state-of-the-art museum spans nearly 39 hectares and represents a monumental upgrade from its previous location at 28A Dien Bien Phu Street in Ba Dinh District, which closed to visitors on September 30, 2024.

The impressive new complex features a four-story main building covering 23,198 square meters, crowned by a striking 45-meter Victory Tower that symbolizes the heroism and resilience of the Vietnamese people throughout their military history. With modern architectural design blending traditional and contemporary elements, the museum houses tens of thousands of artifacts, documents, and exhibits that chronicle Vietnam's military journey from ancient times through the Ho Chi Minh era.

Visitors can explore meticulously curated indoor galleries displaying everything from ancient weapons and battle strategies to captured French colonial equipment and remnants of American aircraft, while expansive outdoor exhibition areas showcase large-scale military hardware, including Soviet MiG fighters, tanks, and artillery pieces that played pivotal roles in Vietnam's struggles for independence and reunification.

1. Is the One Pillar Pagoda free?

No. The entrance ticket for the One Pillar Pagoda will only be free for Vietnamese citizens. For international visitors, the fee will be approximately $1 USD/ person.

2. What is the dress code for the One Pillar Pagoda?

Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders is advised for visitors. Please avoid tank tops and shorts

3. What is the story behind the One Pillar Pagoda?

Emperor Lý Thái Tông built it in 1049 after dreaming of the Goddess of Mercy sitting on a lotus flower, who gave him a baby son. When his wife bore him a son, he built the pagoda shaped like a lotus to honor the goddess

We hope the blog has given you great information that you need to know for your upcoming visit to One Pillar Pagoda. If you’re planning to explore more places around the city, don’t forget to read our blogs tailored to your interests. And remember, you can always book flights, hotels and travel activities with amazing deals here on Traveloka!

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