The One Pillar Pagoda is one of Hanoi’s most iconic and unique Buddhist temples. It’s located in the central Ba Đình district of Hanoi near the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex.
The pagoda is constructed to resemble a “Lotus Pedestal”, and consists of a small shrine sitting on a single stone pillar, set within a lotus and water lily pond. The lotus is an important symbol of purity in Buddhism.
The pagoda was originally built in 1049 during the Lý dynasty and was expanded over the following decades (notably around 1105). It has undergone numerous restorations over the centuries. In 1954, during the First Indochina War, French forces destroyed the original pagoda before withdrawing. The Vietnamese government rebuilt it in 1955, closely following traditional architectural elements.
The pagoda is a major cultural and spiritual site and remains an active place of worship. It is typically open daily (roughly 8:00 AM–5:00 or 6:00 PM). Entry is usually free. It is a short walk the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace grounds. Dress modestly out of respect
