The One Pillar Pagoda is a popular Hanoi attraction, and many sightseeing tours include a stop here, along with the nearby Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Temple of Literature, or Hoan Kiem Lake. Explore the small pagoda’s unique architecture; made of wood and standing on a single stone pillar, it has a system of curved bars supporting the floor and a curved roof. Inside is an ornate shrine with a statue of Quan Am (Guanyin), the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, seated on a lotus.
Opt to explore Hanoi like a local on a motorbike tour that includes the pagoda, and consider add-ons like a water-puppet show or a cooking class.