Objective To explore the effect of miR?206 overexpression on the invasion and migration of the liver cancer cell line HepG2. Methods HepG2 cells were divided into four groups: HepG2 (control) group, miR?206 mimic group, pc?VEGFA group, and miR?206 mimic + pc?VEGFA group. The expression of miR?206 and level of VEGFA mRNA were analyzed by quantitative real?time reverse?transcription PCR. A luciferase experiment was used to confirm the targeting of VEGFA by miR?206. The expression of VEGFA, vimentin, N?cadherin, and fibronectin was detected by western blotting. Cell invasion was measured by a Transwell assay. Cell migration was determined by a scratch assay. Results After transfection with miR?206 mimic in HepG2 cells, the expression of miR?206 was increased with declined mRNA level of VEGFA ( P < 0. 001). VEGFA was a direct target of miR?206. Compared with control group, the protein level of VEGFA, the number of invasive cells per field and scratch healing rate in miR?206 mimic group was reduced ( P < 0. 01). The protein level of VEGFA, the number of invasive cells per field and scratch healing rate in pc?VEGFA group was higher than control group ( P < 0. 01). Compared with pc?VEGFA group, the protein level of VEGFA, the number of invasive cells per field and scratch healing rate in miR?206 mimic + pc?VEGFA group was decreased ( P < 0. 01). The expression of vimentin, N?cadherin and Fibronectin in miR?206 mimic group was lower than control group ( P < 0. 01). The expression of vimentin, N?cadherin and Fibronectin in pc?VEGFA group was higher than control group ( P < 0. 01). Compared with pc?VEGFA group, the expression of vimentin, N?cadherin and Fibronectin in miR?206 mimic + pc?VEGFA group was reduced ( P < 0. 01). Conclusions The overexpression of miR?206 inhibits the invasion and migration of liver cancer HepG2 cells by targeting VEGFA.