January
17.4°C ~ 63°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
One Pillar Pagoda
A small pagoda on a single stone pillar, shaped like a lotus rising from a pond.
- Location
- Hanoi
- Time needed
- 15 – 30 min
- Entry fee
- Free
- Best months
- Oct – Dec
Overview
The One Pillar Pagoda is one of the best-known symbols of Hanoi. The wooden pagoda stands on a single stone pillar in a lotus pond and is shaped like a lotus flower. According to tradition it was first built in 1049 under Emperor Ly Thai Tong. The present building is a reconstruction from 1955, after the earlier pagoda was destroyed in 1954.
It is small and the visit is short, usually 15 to 30 minutes. The pagoda stands in Ba Dinh district beside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Ho Chi Minh Museum, so it fits naturally into a morning in that area. You see it from the garden, and you can climb a few steps to look inside the shrine.
Highlights
- See the lotus-shaped pagoda on its single pillar
- Look at the lotus pond around it
- Combine with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area
- Learn the story of Emperor Ly Thai Tong
Visitor information
| Opening hours | Daily, daytime. Exact hours not confirmed. |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | Free (donations welcome) |
| Time needed | 15 – 30 min |
| Best time of day | Early morning |
| Good for | First-timers, history lovers, photographers |
| Accessibility | Flat paths; the pagoda itself is viewed from the garden |
| Facilities | Garden, nearby cafes and toilets |
Prices and hours can change. Check the official source before you go.
Best time to visit
Weather in Hanoi by month.
February
18.3°C ~ 65°F
10 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
March
21.8°C ~ 71°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
April
25°C ~ 77°F
12 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
May
27.7°C ~ 82°F
18 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
June
29.6°C ~ 85°F
18 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
July
29.3°C ~ 85°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
August
28.5°C ~ 83°F
25 days of rain
Crowds: Quiet
September
27.5°C ~ 82°F
21 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
October
24.8°C ~ 77°F
14 days of rain
Crowds: Moderate
November
22°C ~ 72°F
8 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
December
18°C ~ 64°F
7 days of rain
Crowds: Busy
How to get there
- From Hanoi centre
In Ba Dinh district, next to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. About 10 minutes by taxi from the Old Quarter.
- One Pillar Pagoda
Tips before you go
- Go early in the morning for fewer people
- Dress modestly, as it is a place of worship
- Combine with the Mausoleum area and the Temple of Literature
- Keep your voice low in the garden
Location
Ba Dinh, Hanoi
More attractions in Hanoi
FAQs
Is the One Pillar Pagoda free?
Yes. Donations are welcome.
How long do I need?
About 15 – 30 minutes.
Where is it?
In Ba Dinh district, beside the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
Destination guideHanoi travel guideNorth Vietnam · 24 attractions