In this paper, Tb(OH)(3) and Y(OH)(3) single-crystalline nanotubes with outer diameters of 30-260 nm, inner diameters of 15-120 nm, and lengths of up to several micrometers were synthesized on a large scale by hydrothermal treatment of the corresponding oxides in the presence of alkali. In addition, Tb4O7 and Y2O3 nanotubes can be obtained by calcination of Tb(OH)3 and Y(OH)(3) nanotubes at 450degreesC. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been employed to characterize these nanotube materials. The growth mechanism of rare earth hydroxide nanotubes can be explained well by the highly anisotropic crystal structure of rare earth hydroxides. These new types of rare earth compound nanotubes with open ends have uses in a variety of promising applications such as luminescent devices, magnets, catalysts, and other functional materials. Advantages of this method for easily realizing large-scale production include that it is a simple and unique one-pot synthetic process without the need for a catalysts or template, is low cost, has high yield, and the raw materials are readily available. The present study has enlarged the family of nanotubes available, and offers a possible new, general route to one-dimensional single-crystalline nanotubes of other materials.