YVO 4 : Yb 3? , Ln 3? (Ln = Er, Tm, Ho) microrods were synthesized via a simple two-step hydrothermal method followed by a subsequent heat treatment process for the first time. The structures, morphologies and up-conversion luminescent properties of the samples were investigated. All samples are well crystallized to a pure tetragonal phase of YVO 4 . The as-synthesized microrods are composed of self-assembled granular-like nanoparticles. Under 973 nm laser diode excitation, intense and nearly monochromatic green, blue, and red up-conversion emissions were observed for the -doped YVO 4 microrods, respectively, which might find potential applications in fields such as phosphors, infrared detection and display devices.