Just a mile from Hanoi’s Old Quarter, you’ll find the One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột), a Buddhist temple considered one of the country’s most important symbols. It is a must-see attraction, along with the nearby Temple of Literature and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which is located right next to it.
You can reach the pagoda on foot or by taxi from the city center. A GrabCar ride costs around 25,000-30,000 VND, but we recommend walking or joining a guided tour. This way, you can explore other nearby landmarks such as Hanoi Citadel, the Military Museum, Lenin Park, and the Flag Tower, all of which are conveniently located along the way. We’ll give you a couple, and you can decide.
Legend has it that the One Pillar Pagoda was built in the 11th century by Emperor Lý Thái Tông after he had a son with a commoner. During his youth, Lý had a dream in which the Buddhist mother goddess Avalokiteshvara, seated on a lotus flower, handed him a child.
To honor this vision, the emperor built the pagoda in the shape of a lotus flower. It is one of a kind—there is no other structure like it in the world.
Also known as the Single Pillar Pagoda or Single Column Pagoda, this small yet remarkable Buddhist temple is located in Hanoi’s Ba Đình district. Its distinctive design, inspired by the lotus flower, makes it truly special.
You won’t find anything like it anywhere else in the world, which is why it attracts countless curious travelers. It undoubtedly deserves its place on the list of must-visit sites in Hanoi.
As you can see in the photos, the pagoda rests on a single stone column with a diameter of 1.25 meters. From this column, wooden beams extend to support the structure, and a well-preserved stone staircase allows access to the temple. The entire structure is surrounded by a small pond.
Inside the One Pillar Pagoda, you’ll find an altar dedicated to Buddha. According to legend, couples hoping to have children should make an offering at this sacred site.
How does it work? Newly married women must pay their respects to Buddha by offering incense and fruit, as a way to seek blessings for fertility and a happy marriage. This Vietnamese tradition continues to this day.
The One Pillar Pagoda is surrounded by a small artificial lake and lush green gardens, making it a peaceful spot for a stroll and a perfect place for photos. If you want to immerse yourself in nature while learning about Hanoi’s history, this is an excellent place to visit.
Additionally, the pagoda is located very close to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, another must-see landmark in Hanoi, Vietnam.
