Discover Ninh Binh: A Cultural Journey for OpenAP 2026 Participants

From Academic Exchange to Cultural Discovery

OpenAP 2026 brings together researchers, educators, policymakers, librarians, information professionals, and other stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region to exchange ideas and perspectives on the future of open education.

While the conference provides a space for academic discussion and professional networking, the Ninh Binh excursion offers a different kind of opportunity: to experience Vietnam’s history, culture, landscape, and local way of life.

Located approximately 100 kilometres south of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is widely recognised for its spectacular limestone mountains, rivers, caves, and cultural heritage. Among its most renowned destinations is the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its exceptional combination of cultural and natural values.

The excursion is therefore more than a sightseeing trip. It is an opportunity for international participants to experience a distinctive part of Vietnam and to build connections with colleagues in a relaxed and memorable environment. It also resonates with the broader spirit of OpenAP 2026: learning does not take place only in lecture halls or conference rooms. It can also emerge through encounters with places, cultures, communities, and different ways of understanding the world.

Bai Dinh Pagoda: A Glimpse into Vietnam’s Spiritual Heritage

The journey will begin with a departure from Hanoi, travelling south towards Ninh Binh, participants will have the opportunity to observe the landscapes of the Red River Delta, including rural communities and expansive rice fields that characterise northern Vietnam.

The Bai Dinh complex is known for its impressive architecture, large-scale Buddhist statues, and extensive system of temples and religious structures. Visitors can explore the pagoda complex while gaining a glimpse into Vietnam’s Buddhist traditions and spiritual culture.

For international visitors, Bai Dinh provides an opportunity to learn about an important aspect of Vietnamese cultural heritage and to experience a religious and architectural landscape quite different from the academic environment of the conference.

After the visit, participants will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, featuring regional cuisine from Ninh Binh.
 

Trang An: Where Nature, Culture and History Meet

Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Trang An represents an outstanding example of a landscape in which natural and cultural values are closely interconnected. The landscape reflects a long and complex relationship between people and their natural environment. Limestone mountains, caves, waterways, ecosystems, archaeological evidence, and cultural heritage come together to form a distinctive landscape that has evolved over thousands of years.

In the afternoon, the group will travel to the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, the highlight of the excursion. Participants will embark on a traditional boat journey through Trang An, travelling along waterways surrounded by dramatic limestone mountains, valleys, and natural caves.

The boat journey offers a unique perspective on the landscape of northern Vietnam. Rather than simply viewing the scenery from a road or observation point, visitors experience Trang An from the water, passing through a series of caves and narrow waterways while surrounded by the area's distinctive karst formations.

The itinerary includes visits to several caves, including Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, and Nau Ruou Cave, depending on the route and operational conditions on the day. The tranquil atmosphere of Trang An also provides an ideal setting for informal conversations and networking among participants after the intensive academic sessions of OpenAP 2026.
 

Programme at a Glance

07:00 – Departure from Hanoi. Participants meet the tour guide and depart for Ninh Binh.
10:00 – Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda and explore the Buddhist complex.
11:45 – Lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional cuisine.
13:00 – Transfer to Trang An and begin the boat excursion through the scenic landscape and cave system.
16:00 – Depart Ninh Binh and return to Hanoi.
19:00 – Expected arrival in Hanoi and conclusion of the excursion.
The itinerary may be adjusted depending on traffic, weather, operational conditions, and the actual arrangements on the day.
 

Tour Information

Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Duration: 1 day
Route: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Bai Dinh – Trang An – Hanoi
Tour fee: 1.200.000 VND/pax

The tour fee includes:

• Transportation throughout the trip

• English-speaking tour guide

• Lunch at a local restaurant

• Entrance fee and boat trip at Trang An

• Electric car service at Bai Dinh Pagoda

The tour fee does not include:

• Hotel accommodation

• Personal expenses

• Drinks outside the included services

• Travel insurance

• Tips for the tour guide and driver

Please note that participation in the Ninh Binh visit is entirely optional and is not included in the OpenAP 2026 conference registration fee. A separate fee of VND 1,200,000 per person applies, subject to a minimum group size of 30 participants.
 

Registration and Further Information

Participation in the Ninh Binh excursion is optional and requires separate registration and payment. Participants interested in joining the excursion are kindly requested to contact the OpenAP 2026 Organizing Committee for registration and payment instructions.

Contact: Ms. Bui Thi Thuy Linh
Email: buithithuylinh1999@vnu.edu.vn
Phone/Zalo: +84 38 931 9982
For further information about Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, please visit the official website of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex: https://trangandanhthang.vn/

Join us for OpenAP 2026 - and take the opportunity to discover more of Vietnam beyond the conference room!