The One Pillar Pagoda – A Trip to Hanoi

Tripoto
Photo of The One Pillar Pagoda – A Trip to Hanoi 1/5 by william barry
Ruud, Chua Mot Cot, CC BY-SA 2.0

Vietnam is the best place to go to discover the magic of the rural country at its finest. But there’s also a lot of culture to Vietnam, particularly in Hanoi and one such place is the One Pillar Pagoda.

1. A Unique Pagoda

Photo of The One Pillar Pagoda – A Trip to Hanoi 2/5 by william barry

There’s something unique about this pagoda which is considered very different in terms of such places of Buddhist worship around the world. Most of it has to do with its structure which you will learn about in this article.

2. About the Pagoda

Photo of The One Pillar Pagoda – A Trip to Hanoi 3/5 by william barry

The pagoda is constructed entirely out of wood, is small in stature and contain two circles that are meant to represent the yin and yang or circulation of the universe. The pagoda was constructed to look like a lotus flower growing out of the water that surrounds it.

3. The History

Photo of The One Pillar Pagoda – A Trip to Hanoi 4/5 by william barry
Gryffindor, One Pillar Pagoda 0324, CC BY-SA 3.0

The pagoda was first constructed in 1049 and subsequently destroyed in 1954. According to legend, the childless Emperor Ly Thai Tong built the pagoda after he saw the Goddess of Mercy in a dream. In the dream, she handed him a child while seated on a lotus flower. The king’s peasant concubine bore him a son soon after.

4. Things You Should Know

Photo of The One Pillar Pagoda – A Trip to Hanoi 5/5 by william barry

You should keep in mind that unlike when you are staying in a hotel in Hanoi when you are visiting the temple you should ensure that you are conservatively dressed covering your shoulders and knees. Always carry a scarf with you.

5. Opening Hours

If you are staying locally you will find it very easy to find your way to the One Pillar Pagoda. Opening hours are 8 am to 11.30 am daily and from 2 pm to 4 pm Tuesdays to Thursdays and the weekend.