BiVO₄ with monoclinic-type structure were successfully synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method (BiMH) and hydrothermal reaction (BiH500) in aqueous medium. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Barrett–Emmett–Teller technique, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of samples was evaluated by the degradation of different pollutants such as xanthene (rhodamine B), indigoids (indigo carmine), and antibiotics (tetracycline) under simulated sun-light irradiation. The relation among surface area, morphology, particle size, charge recombination, and photocatalytic performance of the powders was also discussed. The degradation of the antibiotic solution (TC) over BiVO₄ photocatalyst was quickly reached for with half-life time (t _1/2) minor than 12 min. On the other hand, in the case of organic dyes (RhB and IC) the best results were t _1/2 = 79 and 150 min under simulated sun-light irradiation, respectively. BiVO₄, had a good stability, did not present photocorroded under irradiation. The degree of mineralization of the organic compounds was determined by total organic content (TOC) analysis, which revealed that mineralization by the action of BiMH is feasible in 83 % (RhB), 58 % (IC), and 50 % (TC) after 96 h of irradiation.