Yb3+, Er3+ co-doped LaVO4 phosphors were synthesized by solid state reaction method. Yb3+ concentrations were changed from 0.01 to 0.20 mol for the fixed Er3+ concentration at 0.2 mol. The crystalline structure of samples was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The composition was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The red and green up-conversion emissions were observed in Yb3+, Er3+ co-doped LaVO4 phosphors under the excitation of 980 nm laser diode. Several emissions in green and red regions of the spectrum were observed near 525 nm, 553 nm and 659 nm radiated by H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) and F-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) transitions, respectively. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.