From Bia Hoi Nights by Steve & Casey

Traveling through Vietnam on their honeymoon, RealTravelers Steve & Casey discovered many enjoyable sites in Hanoi. Hanoi is known for its gorgeous historic temples and pagodas, the small artisans and craft shops of the Old Quarter, its fascinating museums, and elaborate constructions like the Grand Opera House, the Presidential Palace and the Temple of Literature.

Steve & Casey discovered the One Pillar Pagoda, seen is their photo above, which was originally built by King Ly Thai To as a thank you to the goddess Quan Am. The story goes that one night the king dreamed that the goddess came to him, sitting on a lotus leaf. She held her palms out to him, and placed upon them was a baby boy, the new heir to the throne. Because of the dream, the king quickly married and, soon after, was gifted with a male child. He intended that the pagoda resemble a blooming lotus flower. Sadly, the original temple was destroyed, but travelers to Hanoi may still see how it looked centuries ago via the reconstructed pagoda that stands there now.

Learn more about Hanoi by visiting the Hanoi Travel Guide, and finding out what else Casey & Steve discovered on their journey.