Vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) is a unique histological vascular pattern associated with a novel mechanism of metastasis. In recent years, the incidence of VETC in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its prognostic significance have garnered significant attention. Current studies indicate that VETC serves as an independent predictor of recurrence and overall survival following liver resection and transplantation, and has gradually become a research hotspot in HCC. Furthermore, VETC may also function as a biomarker for predicting the efficacy of targeted therapy, interventional therapy, and their combined regimens. However, internationally standardized criteria for reporting and the clinical application of VETC in HCC are yet to be established. To promote the standardized and practical application of VETC in the prognostic evaluation and therapeutic decision-making for HCC, this consensus is developed by organizing domestic experts from fields including radiology, hepatobiliary surgery, interventional medicine, oncology, and pathology. Based on current evidence-based medical data and combined with clinical practice, and through multiple rounds of discussion and revisions, the "Expert consensus on the clinical application of vessels encapsulating tumor clusters in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (2026 edition)" is formulated. This consensus is intended as a reference for domestic colleagues and will be continuously updated and refined with the accumulation of new evidence.