Free Call to Vietnam from US — Use Zalo (Free) or Google Voice (2026)
Call Vietnam free with Zalo (#1 app, NOT WhatsApp) or Messenger. 2M+ Vietnamese-Americans. BubblyPhone $0.20/min (expensive). Google Voice $0.02-0.04/min. +84 dialing guide, Hanoi/HCMC, Viettel carriers.
Calling Vietnam costs $0.20/min with BubblyPhone — $12.00 for a full hour. That's not cheap, which makes free app calls essential. But here's the key insight: Zalo is the #1 messaging app in Vietnam— NOT WhatsApp. Zalo is Vietnam's own messaging platform with 75 million+ users, and it's what your Vietnamese contact almost certainly uses.
Over 2 million Vietnamese-Americans live in the US, making Vietnam one of the most-called Asian countries. Facebook Messenger is also hugely popular in Vietnam. Understanding which app to use can save you a lot of money.
Free: App-to-App Calls
Both people need the app and internet. No charges, no limits.
1. Zalo — #1 in Vietnam (NOT WhatsApp)
Zalo is Vietnam's dominant messaging app— 75M+ users, developed by Vietnamese company VNG. It's the KakaoTalk of Vietnam, the LINE of Japan. Voice and video calls are free and work well. Zalo is deeply integrated into Vietnamese daily life — payments, government services, business communication.
Critical tip: If you want to call someone in Vietnam, install Zalo. WhatsApp is barely used there. This is the single most important thing to know about calling Vietnam. Available on iOS and Android — download it and register with your phone number.
2. Facebook Messenger — Also Hugely Popular
Vietnam is one of Facebook's largest markets, and Messenger is extremely popular for calls. Many Vietnamese use both Zalo and Messenger — Zalo for domestic contacts, Messenger for international ones (since overseas Vietnamese are more likely to have Facebook).
Tip:If your Vietnamese contact doesn't have Zalo, Messenger is the next best option. It's more likely to work for international connections than Zalo.
3. Viber — Used by Overseas Vietnamese
Viber has a niche in Vietnam, particularly among people with international contacts. Some Vietnamese-Americans use Viber to call family in Vietnam. Free calls work well if both sides have it.
4. FaceTime — Limited
iPhone market share in Vietnam is around 15-20%. Samsung and Chinese brands (Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi) dominate. Don't assume your Vietnamese contact has an iPhone — most don't.
WhatsApp is NOT popular in Vietnam
Unlike most of the world, WhatsApp has minimal adoption in Vietnam. Don't assume your Vietnamese contact has WhatsApp. Use Zalo (for Vietnam-based contacts) or Facebook Messenger (for international connections). This is a common mistake that leads to frustration.
Calling Vietnamese Phone Numbers — Expensive
Vietnam is one of the more expensive Asian countries to call. Free apps are strongly recommended:
| Service | Mobile Rate | Landline Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BubblyPhone | $0.20/min | $0.20/min | Browser, iOS, Android |
| Google Voice | $0.04/min | $0.02/min | US Google account required — much cheaper |
| Rebtel | $0.05/min | $0.03/min | Unlimited Vietnam plans ~$10/mo |
| Viber Out | $0.069/min | $0.069/min | Convenient if already on Viber |
| AT&T / Verizon | $1.50-3.00/min | $1.50-3.00/min | Up to 15x more expensive |
Our honest take: BubblyPhone at $0.20/min is not the cheapest option for Vietnam. Google Voice ($0.02-0.04/min) and Rebtel ($0.03-0.05/min) are significantly cheaper for phone numbers. A 60-minute call costs $12 with BubblyPhone vs $2.40 with Google Voice. For Vietnam specifically, we recommend Zalo or Messenger (free) or Google Voice if you need to call a phone number.
How to Dial Vietnam from the US
# From a US phone:
011 + 84 + number
# From a mobile (or VoIP app):
+84 + number
# Example — calling a Hanoi landline:
+84 24 1234 5678
# Example — calling a Vietnamese mobile:
+84 91 234 56 78
# Example — calling Ho Chi Minh City:
+84 28 1234 5678
Important: Vietnamese numbers start with 0 domestically. When dialing from the US, drop the leading 0: 024 becomes +84 24 (Hanoi), 028 becomes +84 28 (Ho Chi Minh City), 091 becomes +84 91 (mobile). Vietnam recently renumbered — old Hanoi (04) is now 024, old HCMC (08) is now 028.
Major Area Codes
- Hanoi: 24 (was 4)
- Ho Chi Minh City: 28 (was 8)
- Da Nang: 236
- Hai Phong: 225
- Can Tho: 292
- Nha Trang: 258
- Hue: 234
Carriers & Mobile
- Viettel: Largest carrier (military-owned, biggest in Vietnam)
- Mobifone: Second largest
- Vinaphone: Third carrier (VNPT group)
- Mobile prefixes: 09x, 03x (Viettel), 07x, 08x (Mobifone/Vinaphone)
- Coverage: Good in cities, improving rapidly in rural areas
What is Zalo?
Zalois Vietnam's own messaging super-app, built by VNG Corporation. Think of it as Vietnam's KakaoTalk or LINE. It has 75M+ users, offers messaging, voice/video calls, payments, mini-apps, and even government services. It's free on iOS and Android. If you want to stay in touch with anyone in Vietnam, installing Zalo is non-negotiable.
Which Method Should You Use?
Calling family in Vietnam
Zalo — free, and everyone in Vietnam uses it. Install it, register with your phone number, and add your Vietnamese contacts. Video calls work well over Vietnam's improving broadband.
Calling a Vietnamese business
Google Voice ($0.02/min landline) is the best option for phone numbers. BubblyPhone ($0.20/min) is not cost-effective for Vietnam. Many Vietnamese businesses also have Zalo accounts.
Calling a Vietnamese mobile number
Google Voice ($0.04/min) or Rebtel ($0.05/min) for phone calls. Better yet, use Zalo or Messenger for free.
Vietnamese-American community
Zalo and Messenger — the 2M+ Vietnamese-Americans typically use both Zalo (for Vietnam connections) and Messenger (for US friends). Many maintain active Zalo accounts.
Tips for Calling Vietnam
- Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of EST (ICT, UTC+7). When it's 8 AM in New York, it's 8 PM in Hanoi. Best window: 7-9 AM EST (7-9 PM Vietnam) or 8-10 PM EST (8-10 AM Vietnam next day)
- Zalo, not WhatsApp — this is the most important tip. Install Zalo if you want to communicate with people in Vietnam. WhatsApp is barely used there
- Facebook Messenger is huge — Vietnam is one of Facebook's largest markets. Messenger is the backup option if Zalo doesn't work for your contact
- Phone numbers are expensive — at $0.20/min with BubblyPhone or $0.04/min with Google Voice, use free apps whenever possible. Vietnam's termination rates are high
- Vietnam renumbered — if you have old Vietnamese numbers, note that Hanoi changed from 04 to 024, HCMC from 08 to 028. Old numbers may not work
- Skype shut down in 2025 — if you used Skype to call Vietnam, switch to Zalo/Messenger (free) or Google Voice ($0.02-0.04/min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call Vietnam for free from the US?
What is the cheapest way to call a Vietnamese phone number?
What is the country code for Vietnam?
What is Zalo and why should I use it?
What's the best time to call Vietnam from the US?
Call Vietnam — Use Zalo (Free) or Google Voice ($0.02/min)
Install Zalo for free calls. For phone numbers, Google Voice ($0.02-0.04/min) is cheapest. BubblyPhone works too at $0.20/min.
Try Free — Call Vietnam Now