One Pillar Pagoda — Attraction in Hà Nội

Chùa Một Cột 独柱寺 One Pillar Pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda is located on the street of the same name in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. This is the unique tower part (Buddha tower, Lotus tower) of the ancient pagoda, named Dien Huu.

According to the chronicles, One Pillar Pagoda was built during the Ly Dynasty. Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu recorded in 1049, "in the winter of the tenth month (Lunar calendar), Dien Huu Pagoda was built. Once, the king [Ly Thai Tong] dreamed of seeing Quan Am Buddha sitting on a lotus throne, leading the king to the throne. When he woke up, the king told the story to his courtiers, and people considered it an unlucky omen. There was a monk named Thien Tue who advised the king to build a pagoda, erect a stone pillar in the middle of the ground, and make a lotus throne of Quan Am Buddha placed on the pillar as seen in the dream. Let the monks go around and chant sutras to pray for the king to live long. Therefore, it is called Dien Huu Pagoda (prolonging life)".

In 1105, King Ly Nhan Tong ordered the digging of a lake around the stone pillar with a lotus pedestal, called Linh Chieu Lake. Outside Linh Chieu Lake, there is also Bich Tri Lake. The inscription on the stele of the Sung Thien Dien Linh tower erected in 1122, has a passage about Dien Huu Pagoda or One Pillar Pagoda: "Digging the fragrant Linh Chieu pond, in the middle of the pond sprouted a stone pillar, on the pillar there was a thousand-petal lotus spreading out. On the flower, built a dark red temple, inside the temple placed a golden statue. Outside the pond there was a painted corridor. Outside the corridor, dug Bich Tri pond, built a curved bridge for travel". It is clear that the architectural complex of the One Pillar Pagoda of the Ly Dynasty is different in scale and form from the One Pillar Pagoda today. The Ly Dynasty pagoda was also rebuilt in the Tran Dynasty, in 1249.

Today's One Pillar Pagoda consists of a small pagoda and a Buddhist platform, called Lien Hoa Dai (lotus platform) built in the middle of a square lake. This platform is square, each side is 3m long, has a curved roof, built on a cylindrical stone pillar with a diameter of 1.20m, and a height of 4m (excluding the part submerged in the ground). The upper level of the pillar is a system of wooden beams that support the platform above. Today, there are no lotus petals on the stone pillars as mentioned in the Ly Dynasty stele, but the Buddha platform built on a pillar rising above the water is still a unique architecture, evoking the...

Heads up! Ladies walking in the area alone. You are closely monitored by the police officers (proper uniform on). I was dressed in long sleeved shirt, long pants (down to the ankles) and sandals. I did not intend to visit the pagoda from inside - it is so small that you can in fact see the interior from the outside. My first encounter with the police was on the main path on my way to the pagoda, just past the church which is to the left when exiting the museum. Just there a very young police officer was basically sent to me(by his supervisor standing next to him). I was holding a regular selfie stick - one of the cheapest on the market. My phone was attached to it. The young man started pointing towards the selfie stick and speaking Vietnamese. I simply said: I do not understand. He tried to follow me on the way to the pagoda and a local guy stopped and said the words “selfie stick”. The young guy gave up. I went nearby the pagoda and without disturbing anyone took 2 pictures of myself with the selfie stick- on a stand. After I was done I walked away and in this very moment the supervisor came to me and literally yelled. As I realize this is a pure communist country, I kept my cool. I decided to use the translator: What is the problem? Then he asked to talk to my translator: You can film with your phone here, but you are not allowed to use this thing in MY area. At this moment I found it pointless to convince him in anything. I collapsed completely the selfie stick and showed it to him - then he made me to remove even the phone from the selfie stick. At this moment I was standing and wondering what else he would ask for. He started insisting I needed to put the stick inside my 25cm long bag/wallet. I smiled and showed him it did not fit. He suddenly gave up. 2 sec later he was breaking a DEEP conversation with the seller lady of bags, clothes, etc - 2 steps away from the pagoda. So to sum it up: they look after single ladies that “do not obey” to their (unwritten) rules. The point: to force you buy something from his best friend the seller. Most important thing: keep your cool, do not scream back, this is what he wanted to provoke with hid yelling. The pagoda: 3 m wide, 3m long. Locals do walk in shorts and short skirts : no problems. Discrimination at its finest. For reference: there is no written rule about the selfie stick - I went specifically to check the rules...

The One Pillar Pagoda, also known as Chùa Một Cột in Vietnamese, is a remarkable and iconic Buddhist temple located in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. As its name suggests, the pagoda stands on a single pillar, resembling a lotus blossom emerging from a pond. This unique architectural marvel holds great historical, cultural, and religious significance in Vietnam.

The origins of the One Pillar Pagoda can be traced back to the 11th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Thai Tong. Legend has it that the Emperor, who ruled from 1028 to 1054, dreamt of the Goddess of Mercy handing him a male child while he was seeking a solution to his childlessness. Inspired by the dream, he ordered the construction of the pagoda in 1049 as a gratitude offering to the goddess.

The pagoda was initially built of wood, but it has undergone several renovations and restorations over the centuries due to natural disasters and war damages. The current structure, rebuilt in 1955, stands on a concrete pillar that is around 4 meters high and rests on a stone pedestal. The pagoda's design harmoniously combines elements of Buddhism and Vietnamese architecture, creating a serene and visually captivating ambiance.

Visitors to the One Pillar Pagoda are often awestruck by its elegant and slender appearance, resembling a lotus blossom floating on the water. The pagoda is surrounded by a tranquil garden with beautiful bonsai trees and colorful flowers, enhancing its serene atmosphere. The interior of the pagoda houses a statue of Quan Am, the Goddess of Mercy, and the walls are adorned with intricate Buddhist carvings and paintings.

The One Pillar Pagoda is not only a significant religious site but also a symbol of Vietnamese resilience and cultural identity. It has become an iconic landmark in Hanoi, attracting both domestic and international tourists who come to admire its architectural beauty and experience the spiritual tranquility it offers. The pagoda's historical and cultural importance has earned it recognition as a national heritage...