The One Pillar Pagoda is almost a thousand years old. Sort of. In another in a long line of despicably pointless destructive acts committed by colonial military forces, the French destroyed the nearly 1000-year-old pagoda in 1954 on their way out. The Vietnamese government subsequently rebuilt it.
The version that’s there now sits above a large lily pond (or small lake, depending on which way you look at it), tucked just behind the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi.
The top is dark, carved wood shaped to resemble a lotus flower. The single pillar base it balances on was once also wood, but in the modern version it’s rather ugly bare concrete. Concrete might be more practical, but I can’t help wondering whether a tin of dark brown paint was really that hard to find–it is, after all, named after the pillar.
Despite it being a replica, the One Pillar Pagoda is today considered one of Vietnam’s most iconic Buddhist temples.
Photos of the One Pillar Pagoda
What to Know Before You Go
The One Pillar Pagoda is close to the Botanical Garden and West Lake.
Where to Next?
Travel Advice for Vietnam
You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Vietnam (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.
The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Vietnam here and the Australian Government's here.
Health & Vaccinations
The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Vietnam here.
Guidebooks for Vietnam
If you're looking for a guidebook to make the most of your visit, these are some of the most popular ones currently for Vietnam. Some are available in both paper and e-book formats.
- Stewart, Iain (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Fodor's Travel Guides (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- DK Eyewitness (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- DK Eyewitness (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Travel Insurance For Your Trip to Vietnam
I never travel without travel insurance, and I've run into several situations where I've had to make claims. I consider it essential.
But shopping for travel insurance can be a pain and confusing. Thankfully, there are some travel insurance comparison sites that show you a wide range of plans, make it easy to compare coverage, and can save you money at the same time. And the coverage can be much better tailored to your specific needs than the checkbox offering at travel booking sites or through your credit card.
These are some good places to shop for travel insurance for your next trip to Vietnam :
Hopefully, you won't need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll sure be glad you have it!