Laos Country Code: +856
Use this page to dial Laos correctly: country calling code +856, ISO codes (LA, LAO, 418), domestic trunk prefix (0), international prefix (00), plus practical phone formats: fixed-line numbers often look like 0 21 123456 (Vientiane) and mobiles like 0 20 12345678. You also get a live Vientiane clock (ICT, UTC+7).
Dial +856 then the national number (drop leading 0).
Used in shipping, banking, and APIs.
Fixed: 2+6 digits, Mobile: 20+8 digits.
No DST.
Laos quick facts
Key details for dialing, forms, and data systems.
| Country | Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) |
|---|---|
| Capital | Vientiane |
| Country calling code | +856 |
| ISO 3166-1 | LA (alpha-2), LAO (alpha-3), 418 (numeric) |
| Internet TLD | .la |
| Currency | LAK (Lao kip) |
| Time zone | ICT (UTC+7), no DST |
| International prefix (from Laos) | 00 |
| Trunk prefix (domestic) | 0 |
| Typical national lengths | Fixed-line often 8 digits (area 2 + subscriber 6), mobile often 10 digits (20 + subscriber 8) |
How to call Laos
Standard international format: Exit code + 856 + national number. If the local number starts with 0, remove it for international calls.
Step-by-step
- Dial your country’s exit code (examples on the right).
- Dial 856 (Laos country calling code).
- Dial the Laos national number (omit the leading domestic 0).
Common exit codes
| From | Exit code |
|---|---|
| United States / Canada | 011 |
| United Kingdom | 00 |
| EU (most countries) | 00 |
| Australia | 0011 |
| China | 00 |
Number formats & examples
Laos uses domestic trunk prefix 0. Common published examples include Vientiane fixed-line 021 123456 and mobile 020 12345678.
International format (E.164)
- +856 21 123456 — Vientiane fixed-line (example)
- +856 71 123456 — Luang Prabang fixed-line (example)
- +856 20 12345678 — Mobile (20 + 8 digits, example)
Real-world grouping can vary by operator and region. Use the exact digits your contact provides.
Domestic formats
- 0 21 123456 — Vientiane fixed-line (example)
- 0 71 123456 — Luang Prabang fixed-line (example)
- 0 20 12345678 — Mobile (example)
Popular Laos area codes (examples)
For fixed lines, Laos commonly uses a 2-digit geographic code (for example 21 for Vientiane). Mobiles often use 20 followed by 8 digits. Below are commonly referenced city codes and example patterns.
| City / Province | Code | Example (international) |
|---|---|---|
| Vientiane | 21 | +856 21 123456 |
| Pakse | 31 | +856 31 123456 |
| Savannakhet | 41 | +856 41 123456 |
| Thakhek | 51 | +856 51 123456 |
| Phonsavan | 61 | +856 61 123456 |
| Luang Prabang | 71 | +856 71 123456 |
| Oudomxay (Muang Xay) | 81 | +856 81 123456 |
| Mobile | 20 | +856 20 12345678 |
Laos time zone (UTC+7)
Laos uses Indochina Time (ICT), UTC+7, year-round (no daylight saving time).
Scheduling hint
For meetings with Laos, use UTC+7 as the baseline and confirm local business hours with your contact in Vientiane or the relevant province.
- Laos: UTC+7 (ICT)
- No DST shifts during the year
Dial-string builder
Paste a Laos number in common forms (+856…, 856…, 00856…, 0… domestic) and output a dialable string using your exit code.
This builder formats a dial string. Call completion depends on carrier routing.
Validate a +856 number (format check)
Normalize input and check plausible Laos structures: fixed-line 2-digit area + 6 digits (8 total) or mobile 20 + 8 digits (10 total), after removing country code and trunk 0.
Formatting check only (not a carrier lookup).
FAQs
Do I keep the leading 0 when calling Laos from abroad?
No. The 0 is a domestic trunk prefix. When calling internationally, use +856 and dial the remaining digits.
What does a Laos mobile number look like?
A common published format is 020 12345678 domestically and +856 20 12345678 internationally.
What time zone is Laos in?
Laos uses ICT (UTC+7) year-round and does not observe daylight saving time.
Sources & references
References for calling code, ISO codes, dialing notes, and time zone details.
Fast country code lookup, ISO codes, and time tools for international calls and global operations.