Laos Country Code

The ITU country calling code for Laos is +856. From Canada, dial 011 (international access), then +856, then the local number.

+856

Calling Code

7.6M

Population

236.8K km²

Area (km²)

Lao Kip

LAK

Quick Facts

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Laos

Asia South-Eastern Asia

Coat of arms

Basic Information

Calling Code +856

ISO Codes LA / LAO

Capital Vientiane

Independent Yes

Demographics

Population 7.6M

Area 236.8K km²

Languages Lao

Driving Side right

Geography & Time

Region Asia

Subregion South-Eastern Asia

Continent Asia

Time Zones UTC+07:00

Currency

Lao Kip (LAK)

Borders

5 countries

Neighboring countries

Myanmar Cambodia China Thailand Vietnam

How to Call Laos

From Any Country:

 +856 [Local Phone Number]

Example:

+856 21 123 456

(Example: Calling Vientiane, Laos from anywhere in the world)

How do I dial mobiles vs landlines in Laos

Laos uses country code +856, area codes for landlines, a domestic trunk 0, and international prefix 00 when placing calls from Laos.

From abroad → landlines: exit code → 856 → area code (drop the 0) → subscriber. Example (Vientiane): +856 21 2xx xxx (domestic: 021…).

From abroad → mobiles: exit code → 856 → 20 → 8-digit subscriber (drop the domestic leading 0 → +856 20 xxxx xxxx; domestic 020…).

Within Laos: dial 0 + area + number for landlines; dial the full 020… for mobiles.

From Laos to other countries: 00 + country code + number (or just + on mobiles).

Mobiles vs landlines

Landlines are geographic (0xx area codes). Mobiles always begin 020; operators commonly use 020-2 / 020-5 / 020-7 / 020-9 ranges. (Some sources note series by operator; see below.) Save contacts in full +856 20… format.

What are the emergency numbers in Laos

1191 Police, 1192 Tourist Police, 1190 Fire, 1195 Ambulance (also 1199 Electricity). Some advisories list additional city lines (e.g., 1623/1624 in Vientiane) but the 119x short codes are the primary nationwide numbers.

What are the city and area codes in Laos

Dialing tip: If a local number is printed (0)21 / (0)41 / (0)71, drop the (0) when calling from abroad → +856 21 / 41 / 71….

City	Area Code	International Dialing Format
Vientiane Capital	21	+856 21 XXX XXX
Vientiane Province (incl. Xaisomboun)	23	+856 23 XXX XXX
Champasak / Pakse	31	+856 31 XXX XXX
Saravane	34	+856 34 XXX XXX
Attapeu	36	+856 36 XXX XXX
Sekong	38	+856 38 XXX XXX
Savannakhet	41	+856 41 XXX XXX
Khammouane (Thakhek)	51	+856 51 XXX XXX
Bolikhamsai (Pakxan)	54	+856 54 XXX XXX
Xieng Khouang	61	+856 61 XXX XXX
Houaphanh	64	+856 64 XXX XXX
Luang Prabang	71	+856 71 XXX XXX
Sayabouly (Xayaboury)	74	+856 74 XXX XXX
Oudomxay	81	+856 81 XXX XXX
Bokeo	84	+856 84 XXX XXX
Luang Namtha	86	+856 86 XXX XXX
Phongsaly	88	+856 88 XXX XXX

Which mobile prefixes do mobile operators use in Laos

Dialing tip: from North America: 011 856 20 xxxx xxxx. From most of Europe: 00 856 20 xxxx xxxx (or simply +856 20 …).

Mobile Operator	Dialing Prefixes
Unitel (Star Telecom)	commonly 020-9X (e.g., 020-98/99…)
Lao Telecom (LTC / LaoTel)	commonly 020-5X (e.g., 020-54/55/56…)
TPlus (formerly Beeline Laos)	commonly 020-7X (e.g., 020-77…)
ETL	commonly 020-2X (e.g., 020-22/23…)