Hanoi One Pillar Pagoda stands out as an indispensable cultural and religious symbol of the Capital. Built during the reign of King Ly Thai Tong in the 11th century, One Pillar Pagoda in Vietnam is not only a unique architectural work, but also a sacred place, containing great spiritual values. With a long history and a harmonious combination of architecture and nature, this pagoda has become one of the must-see destinations for all domestic and foreign tourists when visiting Hanoi.
The long-standing One Pillar Pagoda's history
History of One Pillar Pagoda
One Pillar Pagoda is known by many different names such as Mat Pagoda, Lien Hoa Dai or Dien Huu Tu. This pagoda is not only a unique architectural relic but also a symbol of profound Buddhist spirit.
Dien Huu Pagoda was started by King Ly Thai Tong in the winter of the tenth lunar month of the year Ky Suu 1049. According to folk legend, the birth of the pagoda is associated with a dream of King Ly Thai Tong. In the dream, the king saw Buddha Quan Am sitting on a lotus platform and invited the king to come up with him. After waking up, the king told his subjects about the dream and was advised by monk Thien Tue to build a pagoda according to the image in the dream. From then on, One Pillar Pagoda was born with a unique architecture, simulating the image of a lotus floating in the middle of a lake, symbolizing the purity and compassion of Buddhism.
Over the centuries, the One Pillar Pagoda has undergone many restorations and repairs, under the Tran, Later Le and Nguyen dynasties. However, the pagoda has not been immune to historical events. In 1954, the French army used explosives to destroy the pagoda. However, in 1955, the State decided to rebuild the pagoda according to the design of architect Nguyen Ba Lang, preserving the traditional architecture and original spirit of the ancient pagoda.
Today, the One Pillar Pagoda is a spiritual destination for the Vietnamese people and a priceless cultural heritage, attracting thousands of tourists each year to admire and learn about the long history of this pagoda. The presence of the One Pillar Pagoda in the heart of Hanoi is a living testament to the enduring vitality of Vietnamese culture and spirituality through many historical ups and downs.
The unique architecture of One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi
The One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi is not only famous for its long history but also attracts attention for its unique architecture, bearing the cultural and artistic imprint of the Vietnamese people. Located in the heart of the capital, this pagoda is considered a sacred symbol and a testament to the talent and intelligence of the Vietnamese people in the field of ancient architecture.
Architecture of One Pillar Pagoda
The overall architecture of the One Pillar Pagoda is built in a square shape, with each side measuring 3 meters long. The structure is mainly made of wood, the pagoda is covered with Vietnamese tile roofs, with four roofs and four curved roof edges carved with dragons, creating a majestic and sacred atmosphere. The unique point is that the entire pagoda is supported by a single pillar, made of two stone pillars stacked on top of each other, with the lower part submerged in the lake and the upper part up to 4 meters high. The diameter of this pillar is 1.2 meters, creating absolute solidity for the entire structure.
The Lotus Platform of the pagoda is the main place of worship, designed as a square block with surrounding bars, also supported by pillars and an extremely sturdy column system. The roof of the pagoda is covered with red tiles, mossy over time, creating an ancient and majestic look for the structure. On the top of the roof, the image of "two dragons facing the moon" stands out, a common feature in Vietnamese communal house and pagoda architecture. This image represents the intersection between heaven and earth, between yin and yang according to ancient concepts.
The architecture of the One Pillar Pagoda is also highly appreciated for its perfect symmetry. From the vertical design at the center of the pillar to the support system from the pillar to the floor, everything creates balance and solidity. Because of its unique design and architecture, One Pillar Pagoda was ranked as a National Historical and Architectural Monument in 1962. Not only that, this pagoda was also listed in the Vietnam Guinness Book of Records with the title: The pagoda with the unique architecture in Vietnam.
How much is the One Pillar Pagoda's entrance fee?
Tickets to One Pillar Pagoda
One Pillar Pagoda attracts domestic tourists and is also an attractive destination for international tourists. When visiting this pagoda, the issue of entrance fees is one of the information that many people are interested in.
For Vietnamese citizens, visiting One Pillar Pagoda is completely free. This is a policy to encourage domestic people to learn about and appreciate the cultural heritage of the nation, while creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese people to have the opportunity to access precious historical values.
For foreign visitors, One Pillar Pagoda applies an entrance fee of 25,000 VND per visit. This fee is to support the maintenance, preservation and development of the relic site, and is also a small contribution to preserving the cultural values of Vietnam.
Time to visit One Pillar Pagoda
Visitors need 1 to 3 hours to visit the temple
To have a complete sightseeing experience, visitors should pay attention to the opening hours and the duration of their visit here.
One Pillar Pagoda is open to visitors from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm every day. However, due to its special location in the Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the visiting time at One Pillar Pagoda is also affected by the operating hours of these two locations. Therefore, to ensure a convenient and complete visit, visitors should choose a suitable time during the opening hours of the pagoda.
The duration of a visit to One Pillar Pagoda usually ranges from 1 to 3 hours. This is enough time for visitors to admire the unique architecture of the pagoda, learn about the history and cultural values of this relic, as well as combine visiting neighboring locations in the complex. For those who want to combine their trip with a visit to Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, it is important to arrange the time properly to ensure a complete and satisfying sightseeing experience.
With reasonable and flexible visiting times, One Pillar Pagoda is always ready to welcome visitors to explore and learn about a precious part of Hanoi's heritage, as well as the entire Vietnamese nation.
Read more: Hanoi Opera House: A city's architectural masterpiece
How to get to One Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi?
Travel to One Pillar Pagoda by bus
Located right in the center of the capital, getting here is very convenient. You can choose from many different means of transport to visit One Pillar Pagoda, depending on your needs and preferences.
If you want to travel quickly and conveniently, taxis and technology motorbike taxis such as Grab, Be are popular choices. Just enter the address "One Pillar Pagoda" or "Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum" into the mobile application, you will easily find a driver and get to your destination without worrying about the route.
If you use a personal vehicle such as a motorbike or a car, you can drive directly to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area or the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Here, you can park your vehicle at two convenient locations: Ong Ich Khiem Street - opposite the Mausoleum Guard Command, or Ngoc Ha Street - the entrance to the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Then, you just need to walk a short distance to reach the One Pillar Pagoda.
For those who want to travel by bus, Hanoi offers many bus routes that pass through the Ba Dinh Square area. Some bus routes such as 09, 33, 22, 45, 50 all stop at 18A Le Hong Phong, the closest stop to the President's Mausoleum. From here, you just need to walk a few more minutes to reach the One Pillar Pagoda.
With a prime location and many transportation options, getting to the One Pillar Pagoda is very easy. No matter which means of transport you choose, a visit to this ancient temple is sure to be an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Read more: St Joseph Cathedral Hanoi Vietnam: Everything you should know to have the best experience
What are must-visit tourist attractions near the pagoda?
When visiting the One Pillar Pagoda, you can take the opportunity to explore many famous tourist attractions nearby. Here are some places that you should not miss when visiting this area:
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Located right next to the One Pillar Pagoda, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a must-see destination when visiting Hanoi. This is the resting place of the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people. The mausoleum is designed solemnly and peacefully, a place that every Vietnamese person wishes to visit at least once in their life. From the One Pillar Pagoda, you only need to walk a short distance to visit the mausoleum.
Ho Chi Minh Museum
Also located in the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the Ho Chi Minh Museum is where many valuable artifacts and documents about Uncle Ho's life and career are preserved and displayed. This is a place where visitors can learn more about the great leader of the nation and important milestones in Vietnamese history.
Hanoi Flag Tower
Hanoi Flag Tower is one of the symbols of the capital, not far from One Pillar Pagoda. This is an ancient architectural work, which has witnessed many ups and downs in Hanoi's history. Hanoi Flag Tower is also an ideal place for visitors to admire the panoramic view of the city center from above.
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long
Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is just a short distance from One Pillar Pagoda, a UNESCO-recognized world heritage site. This is where important historical and cultural values of the Vietnamese feudal dynasties are preserved. Exploring the Imperial Citadel, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the country's long history, from the Dai Viet period to the ups and downs of Thang Long - Hanoi.
Hoa Lo Prison
About 2.4 km from One Pillar Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison is one of the important historical relics of Hanoi. Built during the French colonial period, this place was once a place to detain many patriotic revolutionaries. Hoa Lo Prison is not only a historical relic, but also a place for visitors to learn more about the resilient and indomitable fighting spirit of the Vietnamese people.
Tourist attractions near One Pillar Pagoda help visitors have a more comprehensive view of the culture, people and events that have made Hanoi today. The journey to discover these heritages will certainly leave you with many unforgettable impressions. Sinhcafe - the leading travel agency in Vietnam provides international visitors with a variety of tours to explore Hanoi with detailed itineraries. If you want to visit Hanoi, don't forget to check out our latest tours at sinhcafe.com.