International Calling
Call any landline or mobile in Laos at just 18¢/min. No downloads, no hidden fees — just open your browser and dial.
Laos
Country code +856
$0.18
Landline
$0.21
Mobile
~60%
vs retail*
Average call quality
*Illustrative savings vs 2.5× directory rate — not a carrier quote.
Simple steps
Drag the slider to match your Laos call volume. See what you're spending versus what you could be spending with Sayfone.
Drag slider to adjust
220
min / month
~$8.82/min
~$6.66/min
~$3.96/min
~$0.90/min
$0.180/min
Annual saving vs. AT&T
Based on 220 min/month
GETTING STARTED
No SIM card swaps, no calling card PINs, no app installs. Just open your browser and start calling Laos in under a minute.
Instant access
Visit Sayfone from any device — desktop, tablet, or phone. No downloads or account setup required to get started.
Dialer
+00 000 000 00
Type the Laos phone number starting with +856, followed by the area code and local number. We'll format it for you automatically.
HD audio from your browser
Hit call and connect instantly. Enjoy clear audio quality on calls to Laos landlines and mobiles at transparent per-minute rates.
UNDERSTANDING COSTS
Laos presents unique telecom challenges that drive up calling costs. Understanding these factors helps explain why traditional carriers charge premium rates for calls to this Southeast Asian destination.
The Lao government holds financial stakes in every major telecom operator, and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications acts as both regulator and stakeholder. This limits market competition and can inflate international termination rates.
While mobile coverage reaches most major cities, rural and mountainous areas still have limited or unreliable connectivity. Routing calls to these regions requires more network hops and carrier interconnections, increasing costs.
Laos is one of Southeast Asia's landlocked nations, without direct access to submarine cable landing points. International voice traffic must transit through neighboring countries like Thailand or Vietnam, adding transit fees to every call.
Government pricing regulations standardize call and data rates across operators, limiting promotional pricing and competitive discounting. This pricing rigidity extends to international termination rates, keeping costs elevated for overseas callers.
Sources
Supports claims about infrastructure limitations and regulatory environment
Supports claims about government stake in operators and regulatory limitations
Supports claims about rural infrastructure gaps and government market control
CALLING OPTIONS
There are several ways to reach friends, family, or business contacts in Laos. Each option comes with trade-offs in cost, reliability, and convenience.
Traditional Carrier (AT&T, Verizon, etc.)
Major US carriers charge premium per-minute rates for calls to Laos. International plans may reduce costs but often require monthly commitments and still carry significant markups.
International Calling Cards
Prepaid calling cards were once popular for calls to Southeast Asia, but hidden fees, connection charges, and maintenance deductions make actual per-minute costs unpredictable.
WhatsApp / Messenger Voice Calls
Free app-to-app calls work when both parties have strong internet connections, but Laos's uneven mobile data quality — especially outside Vientiane — leads to dropped calls, lag, and poor audio.
Browser-Based Calling (Sayfone)
Call any Laos phone number directly from your browser with no app or account required. Calls route through real phone networks, so the recipient's internet quality doesn't matter — only yours does.
Bar lengths reflect relative cost tiers for each option — not survey percentages.
CONNECTIVITY REALITY
Free voice and video calling apps rely on strong, stable internet on both ends of the call. In Laos, infrastructure limitations make this a serious challenge — especially for reaching people outside major cities.
When you call Laos with Sayfone, your call travels over real telecom infrastructure and terminates on the Laos phone network — not the internet. Your contact picks up a normal phone call, regardless of their internet connection or device.
The problem
While mobile coverage reaches 97% of Laos villages on paper, network quality outside urban areas is frequently weak or congested. Mountainous terrain and sparse populations mean many village networks can barely support voice calls over data, let alone video.
Evening hours in Laos — when most personal calls happen — coincide with peak data usage. Network speeds drop significantly between 6–9 PM local time, causing call drops, audio lag, and connection failures on data-dependent calling apps.
App-based calls require good internet on both the caller's and receiver's end. Even if your connection is excellent, your contact in Laos may be on a 2G or congested 3G network that simply cannot maintain a stable voice-over-data call.
Sources
Supports claims about patchy internet and rural connectivity gaps
Supports claims about rural network quality and congestion
CALLING TIPS
Make the most of your calls to Laos with practical time-zone guidance, cultural etiquette tips, and insider advice on when and how to connect.
Laos Time Zone
ICT (UTC+7)
Indochina Time — no daylight saving
US Eastern → Laos
+11 hours (EST) / +12 hours (EDT)
9 AM in New York = 8 PM in Vientiane
US Pacific → Laos
+14 hours (PST) / +15 hours (PDT)
6 PM in LA = 9 AM next day in Vientiane
Drop the Leading Zero
When dialing from abroad, always remove the leading 0 from Laos phone numbers. For example, if the local number is 021-123456, dial +856 21 123456 internationally.
Mobile Numbers Start with 20
Laos mobile numbers use the prefix 20 followed by 8 digits. When calling a mobile, dial +856 20 XXXX XXXX. Landlines use 2-digit area codes like 21 (Vientiane) or 71 (Luang Prabang).
Expect Occasional Redials
Network congestion can occasionally prevent calls from connecting on the first attempt, particularly to rural areas. If a call doesn't connect, wait a moment and try again.
Confirm the Number Format
Laos underwent a numbering change in 2010. Older saved numbers may have fewer digits. Verify with your contact that you have their current full number before calling.
Greet with Respect
Begin phone calls with a polite 'Sabaidee' (ສະບາຍດີ) — the standard Lao greeting. Use polite particles and address people by their title when known. Lao culture values courtesy and gentleness in communication.
Pace the Conversation
Laotian communication tends to be measured and unhurried. Avoid rushing the call or being overly direct with business requests. Allow for small talk before moving to the purpose of the call.
Be Mindful of Hierarchy
In business contexts, seniority matters. When calling a Lao company, ask to be connected to the appropriate person by title. Decision-making often flows through senior figures.
Holidays and Buddhist Days
Laos observes several Buddhist holidays when businesses may close, including Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year, mid-April) and Boun Ok Phansa (October). Avoid scheduling important business calls during these periods.
Sources
Supports time zone and DST information
POPULAR DESTINATIONS
Whether you're reaching family in Vientiane, friends in Luang Prabang, or business contacts in Savannakhet, here's what to know about calling Laos's most popular cities.
Vientiane
Vientiane is the capital and largest city of Laos, home to the strongest mobile and internet infrastructure in the country. Most international calls to Laos terminate here. Area code: 21.
Best time to call: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM ICT (UTC+7)
Photo brief: Vientiane Laos Patuxai monument cityscape Unsplash
Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is Laos's cultural jewel and a UNESCO World Heritage city. It has good mobile coverage from major carriers but connectivity can fluctuate during peak tourist seasons. Area code: 71.
Best time to call: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM ICT
Photo brief: Luang Prabang Laos temples Mekong River Unsplash
Savannakhet
Savannakhet is the second-largest city in Laos and an important trade gateway to Vietnam and Thailand. It has reliable mobile coverage with all major operators. Area code: 41.
Best time to call: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM ICT
Photo brief: Savannakhet Laos colonial architecture town Pexels
Pakse
Pakse serves as the main hub for Champasak province and the Bolaven Plateau region. Mobile coverage is good in the city center, with some gaps in surrounding rural areas. Area code: 31.
Best time to call: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM ICT
Photo brief: Pakse Laos Bolaven Plateau countryside Unsplash
Thakhek
Thakhek is a charming Mekong riverside town in Khammouane province, popular with travelers and home to a growing expat community. Coverage is solid in town but drops in the surrounding karst mountains. Area code: 51.
Best time to call: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM ICT
Photo brief: Thakhek Laos Mekong River karst mountains Unsplash
DIALING GUIDE
Use this quick reference to correctly format any Laos phone number for international calling. The country code for Laos is +856.
Always drop the leading 0 when dialing from outside Laos. Mobile numbers use the prefix 20, while landlines use 2-digit geographic area codes.
+856 20 XXXX XXXX
+856 [area code] XXX XXX
| City / region | Code |
|---|---|
| Vientiane | 21 |
| Vientiane Province | 23 |
| Luang Prabang | 71 |
| Savannakhet | 41 |
| Pakse (Champasak) | 31 |
| Thakhek (Khammouane) | 51 |
| Saravane | 34 |
| Attapeu | 36 |
| Sayabouri | 74 |
| Oudomxay | 81 |
| Bokeo | 84 |
| Luang Namtha | 86 |
| Phongsali | 88 |
| Huaphanh (Sam Neua) | 64 |
| Borikhamsay (Pakxan) | 54 |
Sources
Authoritative source for country code assignment
Reference for number formats and area codes
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers to the most common questions about making international calls to Laos — from pricing and dialing tips to connectivity and call quality.
Still have questions? Our support team can help with any Laos calling questions.
Contact SupportMORE DESTINATIONS
Looking to call other countries in Southeast Asia and beyond? Check out our rates for these popular destinations.
Ready to Call?
Open your browser, enter a Laos phone number, and connect at just 18¢/min. No app, no account, no hassle.
The modern Skype alternative. No downloads, no contracts, just crystal-clear calls from any device, anywhere.