Early metastasis is a significant cause of postoperative recurrence and high mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC), a unique vascular metastasis pattern independent of the traditional epithelial-mesenchymal transitions metastatic mode, has been discovered through recent studies. It is associated with a higher degree of metastasis and worse prognosis and poses a more significant challenge to the proper treatment for HCC patients. Herein, the authors summarize the research status, mechanism, and clinical significance of the VETC pattern in HCC, to serve as a reference for the clinical and basic research in HCC.