Chua Mot Cot or One Pillar Pagoda, the 1,000-year-old structure that symbolises Hanoi, will be renovated at a cost of 1.48 million USD.

The pagoda was built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong, who ruled from 1028 to 1054. It is built of wood, stands on a single stone pillar 1.25m across, and is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, a Buddhist symbol of purity.

The temple was renovated in 1105 by Emperor Ly Nhan Tong and a bell was cast in 1109.

The preservation, to begin next year, will be finished in early 2013.

A replica was built in HCM City's Thu Duc District in the late 1950s./.