Semiconductor photocatalysis is considered as one of the most promising technologies for treating organic pollutants, and its core task is to develop new and efficient photocatalysts. Vanadium oxide is widely used in the photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants. The paper summarizes the applications of nano-vanadium oxide, metal vanadate and vanadium oxide composites in the degradation of organic dyes at home and abroad in recent years. The catalytic performance of vanadium-based photocatalyst is affected by the particle size, morphology, structure and surface properties, which can be regulated by preparation techniques and modification strategies. The preparation techniques of vanadium-based photocatalysts and the modification strategies to improve photocatalytic performance are further analyzed and summarized. A discussion is carried out on the advantages and disadvantages of various preparation techniques as well as the electron transfer of type II heteroj unction, S type heteroj unction, p-n type heteroj unction, Z-scheme heterojunction for the degradation of organic dyes in the modification strategy of vanadium oxide composites, and the shortcomings and challenges in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes are also proposed. © 2024 Editorial Office of Acta Petrolei Sinica. All rights reserved.