One Pillar Pagoda - Symbol of Hanoi Millennium capital (update)

1. One pillar pagoda history

The One Pillar Pagoda (Vietnamese mean: Chùa Một Cột, formally Diên Hựu Tự, which literally means" long-lasting happiness and good luck") was built in 1049 by Ly Thai Tong. It's also one of the oldest pagodas in Hanoi.

According to legend, aging Emperor Ly Thai To under Ly Dynasty, who had no children, often to go to pagodas to pray to Buddha for a son. One night, he dreamt that he was granted a private audience to the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Kwan-Yin or Phat Ba Quan Am), who was seated on a great lotus flower in a square-shaped lotus pond and gave the King a baby boy. Months later, the Queen gave birth to a baby boy.

The Emperor ordered the construction of a pagoda supported by only one pillar to resemble the lotus seat of his dream in honor of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. According to a theory, the pagoda was built in a lotus style, emerging from the water.

In 1049 Buddhist monks were asked to perform rites to pray for the King's longevity.
In 1105, King Ly Nhan Tong renovated and expanded to become a large with Linh Chieu Lake and a gilded lotus tower on the top.
In 1954, the French Colonial destroyed the pagoda before withdrawing from Vietnam after the War.
April 1955 Government restored and preserved until today.
In 1962 was recognized as a National Historical Art and Architectural Relic, and in 2012 recognized the pagoda with the unique architecture in Asia.

2. One pillar pagoda entrance fee and opening hours

Located in the western part of the city, insider Ho Chi Minh's complex - Ong Ich Khiem Street, Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi.
Entrance Fee: Free for everyone
Opening hours: from 08:00 - 17:00 (every day).
 

 Our clients visit One Pillar pagoda

3. One pillar pagoda architecture

This is unique architecture not similar to anyone else in Vietnam. It is square. Each side is 3 meters long with a curved roof and supported by a cylindrical stone pillar. The pillar is 1,2 in diameter, and 4,0 high supports a system of wooden beams. The whole pagoda resembles a blossoming lotus stretching up out of a square pond surrounded by a brick wall.
 

Unique architecture

4. Meaning of One pillar pagoda

Thanks to its unique architecture, mysterious stories related, and near other famous places such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, Ba Dinh Square, and Temple of Literature, this place attracts many visitors every day.

With Temple of Literature, it's become a symbol of cultural and historical for a-thousand-year civilization in Hanoi and the pride of Vietnamese people, of the ancient and splendor of the national history image of One Pillar Pagoda on 5000 VND coin.

Nowadays it's become famous worldwide. We hear the story about a couple from Malaysia getting married for a long time, not having children yet, and has been this pagoda pray. Then, a few months later, his wife has the pregnant and born a baby boy :).

Local people also built another version of One Pillar Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City built at Thu Duc District in 1958.
 

One Pillar Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City 

5. One pillar pagoda dress code

Visitors remember to wear a long dress or long pants when they visit this area.
Don't laugh and speak out loud,
No profane and swearing
Follow instructions when you go into the pagoda and be quiet when you are inside the pagoda.
Should bring a bottled water to avoid thirsty during the trip.

Click here to check out Free walking tour with local students and this area.
 

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Author Hoan Nguyen

He has over 10 years of experience working in the tourism sector and operator. He has traveled to many places in Vietnam and around the world.