What is Laos phone number?
A practical guide to dialing Laos from abroad, including country codes, area codes, and step-by-step calling instructions.
How do I call Laos?
To place a call from your home country to Laos, dial the international access code for your country, followed by Laos's country code 856, then the local number. International access codes vary: dial 011 from the United States and Canada, 0011 from Australia, 0170 from New Zealand, and 00 from the United Kingdom.
After the country code, omit any leading zero from the local number. For example, to call a Vientiane landline from the US, dial: 011 + 856 + 21 + XXXXXX.
Dialing a foreign number requires understanding a few simple steps. An international call begins with the exit code of your current country, which signals that you are placing a call abroad. This is followed by the country code of the destination nation, which directs the call to the correct country's telephone network. After that comes the area or city code, if applicable, and finally the local phone number itself. It is important to remember that when dialing from overseas, you must drop any leading zero that may appear in the local number's area code. A quick check of your carrier's international dialing instructions can prevent connection errors.
Laos shares its borders with several Southeast Asian nations and maintains a straightforward telephone numbering system. The country code assigned to Laos is 856, which must be used for any incoming international call. Local numbers within Laos vary in length depending on whether they belong to landline services in major cities or to mobile networks covering the broader region. Vientiane, the capital, has its own area code that callers must include after the country code. Mobile numbers in Laos typically begin with a distinct prefix that identifies the network provider. Understanding these basic patterns helps travelers and business contacts reach people in Laos reliably.
For those traveling through Southeast Asia, staying connected across borders is a common concern. Different countries in the region use different exit codes and country codes, so it is wise to save contact numbers with the international dialing format already in place. Many modern smartphones allow users to store numbers with the plus sign and country code, which automatically adapts to the local dialing rules wherever you are. This is especially useful for frequent travelers moving between Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Whether you are coordinating a flight, checking in with family, or managing business arrangements, reliable communication depends on knowing the correct dialing sequence for each destination.
Laos Area Codes
| City / Region | Area Code |
|---|---|
| Vientiane | 21 |
| Luang Prabang | 71 |
Laos uses a closed numbering plan. Landline numbers are typically six to seven digits after the area code. Mobile numbers in Laos generally begin with 20 and are dialed the same way: country code + 20 + seven-digit subscriber number.
Is 856 a toll‑free number?
No. 856 is the country code for Laos, not a toll‑free prefix. Calls to Laos are international calls and are charged at your carrier's international rates. Toll‑free numbers in the United States use codes such as 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, and 844.
How do I call Laos from the US?
- Dial the US international access code: 011.
- Dial Laos's country code: 856.
- Dial the area code (e.g., 21 for Vientiane) and the local number.
For mobile calls, replace the area code with the mobile prefix 20 followed by the seven‑digit subscriber number.
Is +44 the same as 0?
No. +44 is the country code for the United Kingdom. The leading 0 is a trunk prefix used when dialing UK numbers domestically. When calling the UK from abroad, you drop the leading zero and use +44 instead. The same principle applies to Laos: drop any leading zero from the local number after dialing +856.
What is a +1 phone number?
+1 is the country code for the North American Numbering Plan, covering the United States, Canada, and several Caribbean nations. It is not related to Laos. When you see a number starting with +1, it originates from one of those countries.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Laos Country Code | 856 |
| Vientiane Area Code | 21 |
| Luang Prabang Area Code | 71 |
| Laos Mobile Prefix | 20 |
| US International Access Code | 011 |
| UK International Access Code | 00 |