A series of NaCl∶Ce3+ phospors were prepared by hydrothermal approach. The crystal structure was checked by X-ray diffraction, and the result showed that all the samples are of single phase. The VUV excitation and emission spectra were measured at room temperature. Two emission peaks at about 309 and 324 nm were obsereved and they were ascribed to 5d→4f(2F5/2, 2F7/2) transitions of. The excitation spectra contain two broad bands at 148 and 247 nm respectively. The peak at 148 nm can be attributed to the host related absorption and that at 190, 205, 216, 232 and 247 nm is due to the 4f→5d transitions of Ce3+.