White light-emitting YVO_4:1 mol.%Dy~(3+),x mol.%Eu~(3+) phosphor powders with order morphology and well crystallization were hydrothermally synthesized at 180°C. The microstructure, white-light emission, and light-emitting mechanism of the powders were carefully studied using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectra. The excitation and emission spectra of the phosphor powders indicated the coexistence of efficient energy transfer from Eu~(3+) to Dy~(3+) and inefficient energy transfer from Dy~(3+) to Eu~(3+) besides the energy transfer from VO_4~(3–) to Eu~(3+). Increasing the Eu~(~(3+)) concentration initially enhanced and then weakened the luminescent intensity of Dy~(3+). The white-light emissions of YVO_4:1 mol.%Dy~(3+),x mol.%Eu~(3+) phosphor powders were both related to the energy transfer between VO_4~(3–) and Dy~(3+)/Eu~(3+), as well as between Eu~(3+) and Dy~(3+). The inefficient energy transfer from Dy~(3+) to Eu~(3+) was first found. White light-emitting YVO_4: 1 mol.% Dy ~ (3 +), x mol.% Eu ~ (3+) phosphor powders with order morphology and well crystallization were hydrothermally synthesized at 180 ° C. The microstructure, white-light emission , and light-emitting mechanism of the powders were carefully studied using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectra. The excitation and emission spectra of the phosphor powders indicate the coexistence of efficient energy transfer from Eu ~ (3+) to Dy (3+) and inefficient energy transfer from Dy ~ (3+) to Eu ~ (3+) besides the energy transfer from VO_4 ~ (3-) to Eu ~ (3+) +3) + +)) concentration initially enhanced and then weakened the luminescent intensity of Dy ~ (3+). The white-light emissions of YVO_4: 1 mol% Dy ~ (3 +) / Eu ~ (3+), as well as Eu ~ (3+) and Dy ~ (3+). The inefficient energy transfer from Dy ~ (3+) to Eu ~ (3+) was first fo und.