One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda is a historic Buddhist temple located on Chua Mot Cot Street in Doi Can Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, within the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex. Built in 1049 during the Ly Dynasty, the small wooden pagoda stands on a single stone pillar in the middle of a lotus pond, designed to resemble a lotus blossom. It is an iconic symbol of Hanoi and Vietnam, revered for its unique architecture and spiritual significance.

Visitors can expect a small, elevated wooden pagoda supported by a single stone pillar in the center of a square lotus pond, accessed by a short stone staircase. The structure is compact with a tiled roof and Buddhist altar inside. The surrounding area includes a courtyard, the adjacent Dien Huu Pagoda, bonsai and garden elements, and views of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex. The site is tranquil, suitable for sightseeing, photography, and observing local prayer practices.

Built in 1049 during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai Tong of the Ly Dynasty, dedicated to Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Legend states the emperor dreamed of the deity seated on a lotus and commissioned the pagoda to resemble a lotus blossom rising from water. The original structure was destroyed in 1954 and subsequently reconstructed in 1955, preserving its historic form and symbolism.

An important Buddhist religious site and national symbol of Hanoi, representing purity through its lotus design. Revered by local Buddhists for prayer and offerings, and depicted on cultural emblems and currency. The pagoda reflects Vietnamese Buddhist architecture and the spiritual heritage of the Ly Dynasty.