The +678 country code connects you to Vanuatu, a Melanesian archipelago of about 83 islands in the South Pacific. Around 320,000 people live here, spread across islands that range from densely jungled volcanic peaks to low-lying coral atolls. The capital Port Vila sits on Efate island, and it's where most of the country's infrastructure and international connections are concentrated.
Vanuatu has no area codes. You dial +678 followed by the local number, and the leading digits tell you whether it's a landline or mobile. The country gained independence from joint British-French colonial rule in 1980, and that dual heritage still shows up in the languages spoken — English, French, and Bislama (a creole) are all official.
Quick answer: +678 is Vanuatu's country code. Landlines are 5 digits (starting with 2x). Mobiles are 7 digits (starting with 5x or 7x). There are no area codes and no trunk prefix. From the US, dial +678 then the local number.
How to call Vanuatu: quick reference
The format depends on where you're calling from. Mobile phones accept the + prefix directly, while landlines need the international access code for your country.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +678 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-678-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-678-[local number] |
| New Zealand | 00-678-[local number] |
| New Caledonia | 00-678-[local number] |
| CallSky app | +678 [local number] |
Understanding Vanuatu phone numbers
Vanuatu uses a mixed-length numbering system with no area codes. The first digits indicate the line type.
Landline numbers (5 digits)
Landlines are 5 digits long and generally start with 2:
| Prefix | Service |
|---|---|
| 22xxx | Port Vila landlines |
| 23xxx | Port Vila landlines |
| 26xxx | Luganville (Santo) landlines |
| 36xxx | Outer island landlines |
Example: +678 22-456 reaches a landline in Port Vila.
Mobile numbers (7 digits)
Mobile numbers are 7 digits and start with 5 or 7, depending on the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier |
|---|---|
| 53xxxxx / 54xxxxx / 55xxxxx | Digicel Vanuatu |
| 70xxxxx / 77xxxxx | Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL) |
Example: +678 77-12345 reaches a Vodafone mobile.
Mobile carriers in Vanuatu
Vodafone Vanuatu (formerly TVL)
Vodafone Vanuatu was originally Telecom Vanuatu Limited (TVL), the state-owned operator. It was rebranded after Vodafone acquired a stake. They run the 4G LTE network in Port Vila and Luganville, with 3G coverage on several outer islands. Vodafone also operates the fixed-line network. Mobile numbers start with 70 or 77.
Digicel Vanuatu
Digicel entered Vanuatu in 2008 and brought competition that drove mobile prices down. They have 4G coverage in urban areas and 2G/3G on outer islands. Digicel mobile numbers start with 53, 54, or 55. They also offer mobile money services through their platform.
Don't confuse +678 with nearby codes
The 67x country codes are all Pacific Island nations, and they're easy to mix up:
| Code | Country | How to tell apart |
|---|---|---|
| +675 | Papua New Guinea | 8-digit numbers |
| +676 | Tonga | 5-digit landlines, 7-digit mobiles (Polynesia) |
| +677 | Solomon Islands | 7-digit numbers across all types |
| +678 | Vanuatu | 5-digit landlines, 7-digit mobiles (Melanesia) |
| +679 | Fiji | 7-digit numbers, starts with 3x/6x/7x/8x/9x |
Vanuatu (+678) and Tonga (+676) both have 5-digit landlines and 7-digit mobiles, but Vanuatu is Melanesian and Tonga is Polynesian — completely different parts of the Pacific. Check the third digit carefully: 8 for Vanuatu, 6 for Tonga.
Time zone considerations
Vanuatu uses VUT (Vanuatu Time), which is UTC+11. There is no daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US West Coast (PST) | Vanuatu is +19 hours (next day) | 3pm–7pm your time = 10am–2pm next day Vanuatu |
| US East Coast (EST) | Vanuatu is +16 hours (next day) | 4pm–8pm your time = 8am–12pm next day Vanuatu |
| Australia (AEST) | Vanuatu is +1 hour | 8am–7pm either side |
| New Zealand (NZST) | Vanuatu is -1 hour | 9am–8pm either side |
For US callers, the time gap means you're calling into the next calendar day. Late afternoon in the US hits morning business hours in Vanuatu. Australia and New Zealand are close enough that timing is rarely a problem.
Communication in Vanuatu
Business hours and etiquette
Government offices run Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm (the early start is common in tropical Pacific countries). Banks close earlier, usually by 3pm. Most shops in Port Vila are open on Saturday mornings. Sunday is quiet, though tourist-area shops may stay open.
Network quality
Port Vila and Luganville have 4G LTE coverage that works well for voice calls and data. Once you leave these two towns, coverage drops to 3G or 2G on populated outer islands, and some remote villages have no coverage at all. Vanuatu connects to the international internet through the Interchange Cable Network (ICN) submarine cable to Fiji, completed in 2014. Before that, the country relied entirely on satellite, which was expensive and slow.
Language considerations
Vanuatu has over 100 indigenous languages for a population of 320,000 — the highest language density per capita in the world. Bislama (a Melanesian pidgin) is the lingua franca and what most people speak day-to-day. English and French are used in government and education, depending on whether you're in an English-track or French-track area. If you're calling someone in Port Vila, they'll likely speak English or French. In rural areas, Bislama is your best bet.
The Vanuatu diaspora
Where ni-Vanuatu live abroad
Vanuatu's diaspora is smaller than many Pacific nations. The largest overseas communities are in New Caledonia (where ni-Vanuatu workers have migrated for decades), Australia (under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme — seasonal agricultural and meat processing workers), and New Zealand (similar seasonal worker programs). France has a small community due to the colonial connection.
Why they call home
Seasonal workers in Australia and New Zealand make up a large share of international calls to Vanuatu. These workers are away for months at a time and call family regularly, often weekly. Remittances from seasonal work are a growing part of the economy. Calls also spike after natural disasters — Vanuatu sits in the Pacific Ring of Fire and Cyclone Alley, and Category 5 cyclones like Pam (2015) and Harold (2020) triggered massive surges in international calls as families checked on each other.
Dialing examples
Calling a landline in Port Vila from the US
A Port Vila landline number like 22-456. From a US mobile, dial +678 22456. From a US landline, dial 011 678 22456.
Calling a Vodafone mobile from Australia
A Vodafone mobile number like 77-12345. From an Australian phone, dial 0011 678 7712345 or +678 7712345.
Calling a landline in Luganville from New Zealand
A Luganville landline like 26-789. From a New Zealand phone, dial 00 678 26789 or +678 26789.
Calling a Digicel mobile from the CallSky app
A Digicel mobile number like 55-43210. In the CallSky app, dial +678 5543210. The app handles the formatting automatically.
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing +678 with +676 or +679
Vanuatu is +678, Tonga is +676, Fiji is +679. All three are Pacific Island nations with codes one digit apart. If your call connects and the person answers in a language you didn't expect, check which code you dialed.
Using the wrong number of digits
Landlines are 5 digits, mobiles are 7 digits. If you're calling a mobile and only dial 5 digits, it won't connect. Conversely, if you're calling a landline and have 7 digits, you may have a mobile number instead.
Expecting coverage everywhere
Vanuatu has 83 islands and many of them have limited or no mobile coverage. If you can't reach someone on an outer island, it may be a coverage issue rather than a wrong number. Try calling during times when the person is likely in a town with reception.
Not accounting for the time difference
Vanuatu is UTC+11, which puts it a full day ahead of the US. A call at 9am Monday in New York reaches Vanuatu at 1am Tuesday. Check the time before calling.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +678 country code?
Vanuatu, a Melanesian archipelago of about 83 islands in the South Pacific.
How many digits are in a Vanuatu phone number?
Landlines are 5 digits and mobiles are 7 digits. There are no area codes, so you dial +678 followed by the local number directly.
How do I call Vanuatu from the US?
From a US mobile, dial +678 followed by the local number. From a US landline, dial 011-678 then the local number.
What time zone is Vanuatu in?
Vanuatu uses VUT (UTC+11) year-round with no daylight saving time.
How much does it cost to call Vanuatu?
With CallSky, Economy rates are $2.77/min and Premium rates are $2.38/min for both landline and mobile.
Looking for more Pacific Island dialing guides? Check out New Caledonia (+687), Fiji (+679), or browse the full country code directory.