The One Pillar Pagoda is also known as Mat Pagoda, Dien Huu Pagoda or Lien Hoa Dai. This unique architectural temple was built during the reign of King Ly Thai Tong in 1049.

Legend has it that King Ly Thai Tong dreamed that the Quan Am Buddha was meditating on a bright lotus, and stretched out her hand to lead the king onto it. After waking up, the king immediately ordered the construction of the One Pillar Pagoda, according to what he had seen in that dream.

The temple was built with an unique one-pillar structure. The architecture looks like a lotus flower growing in the middle of Linh Chieu lake. It combines different sculpture, carvings and paintings. The water surface is also a highlight that mirrors and brightens up the temple.

The One Pillar Pagoda was built in a square block. Each side of the temple is 3 meters wide. Below is a stone pillar that is 4 meters high, 1.2 meters wide and consisting of 2 blocks attached to each other. The pillar is attached with 8 wide wooden wings, which together look like a blooming lotus. The top of the pagoda has 2 dragons looking towards a fiery moon. It also has 4 roofs with 4 curved blades and embossed dragon heads.

The visitors will have to go up 13 steps to place offerings. Inside the pagoda is a statue of Quan Am Buddha sitting on a golden lotus flower. Over many dynasties, the pagoda has witnessed the flow of history. It has been restored and repaired many times. Until today, the architecture of the temple has also changed from the original design. The One Pillar Pagoda has been confirmed by the Asian Records organization as the most unique architectural temple in 2012.

The One Pillar Pagoda is located in the centre of Ba Dinh district, next to the relic complex of Ba Dinh Square and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. The temple is accessible through many means, including: bikes, taxi, buses…

Visitors can visit the pagoda, Uncle Ho's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long at the same time... These sites are also located in the same area. It is recommended to visitors to visit  Uncle Ho's Mausoleum first, then the Presidential Palace, then the Ho Chi Minh Museum and finally the One Pillar Pagoda.