Free Call to Laos from US — $0.18/min (2026)
Call Laos for just $0.18/min with BubblyPhone. Facebook Messenger most popular. Country code +856, Vientiane 21. Unitel, ETL, Lao Telecom. ICT (UTC+7).
Calling Laos costs just $0.18/min with BubblyPhone — that's $10.80 for a full hour. The country code is +856, with Vientiane at +856 21. Facebook Messenger is the most popular communication app, with WhatsApp growing. Carriers are Unitel, ETL, and Lao Telecom. Laos runs on ICT (UTC+7).
Whether you're calling contacts in Vientiane, friends traveling through Luang Prabang, or tourism businesses along the Mekong, here's every option for calling Laos.
Affordable Rate
At $0.18/min, BubblyPhone is reasonably priced for Laos. A 30-minute call costs $5.40. While not the absolute cheapest, it's competitive for Southeast Asian destinations.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. Laos has improving but still limited internet infrastructure.
1. Facebook Messenger — Most Popular
Facebook Messenger is the dominant app in Laos. Facebook has deep penetration, and Messenger is the go-to for messaging and calls. Works in Vientiane and major towns.
2. WhatsApp — Growing
WhatsApp is growing in Laos, especially among internationally-connected users and tourists. Works well in urban areas with data coverage.
3. LINE — Used by Some
LINE has some adoption in Laos due to influence from neighboring Thailand. Less common than Messenger but worth knowing about.
Calling Lao Phone Numbers
| Service | Rate | 60-min Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Voice | $0.04/min | $2.40 | Best value |
| BubblyPhone | $0.18/min | $10.80 | Browser, iOS, Android |
| AT&T / Verizon | $3.00-5.00/min | $180-300 | Extremely expensive |
How to Dial Laos from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 856 + area code + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+856 + area code + number
# Example — calling a Vientiane landline:
+856 21 123 456
# Example — calling a Lao mobile:
+856 20 5512 3456
Number Format
- Vientiane: +856 21 + 6 digits
- Mobiles: +856 20 + 8 digits
- Drop the leading 0
- Country code: +856
Carriers & Info
- Unitel: Largest carrier
- ETL: State carrier
- Lao Telecom: Third carrier
- Coverage: Cities good, rural limited
- Language: Lao
Tips for Calling Laos
- Laos is 12 hours ahead of EST (ICT, UTC+7). When it's 8 AM in New York, it's 8 PM in Vientiane. Best window: 7-9 AM EST (7-9 PM Laos)
- Facebook Messenger first — more popular than WhatsApp in Laos. Install it before calling
- Internet is improving — Vientiane and Luang Prabang have decent connectivity. Rural areas may have limited coverage
- Growing tourism — many calls to Laos are from tourists checking in or making arrangements. Tourism businesses often have WhatsApp
- Lao is the primary language — English is limited outside tourist areas. French has historical presence
Frequently Asked Questions
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Call Laos for $0.18/min
Open BubblyPhone and dial +856. A 30-minute call costs just $5.40.
Try Free — Call Laos Now