A new scheme for generating a vector hollow beam is proposed by using π phase plates, in which two linearly polarized light beams with perpendicular polarizations pass through two π phase plates respectively, and then an elliptical hollow beam is generated by the superposition of two diffracted waves. The eccentricity of the ellipse can be adjusted by varying the geometric size of phase plates with rectangular diaphragm. And the conversion from the radial vector beam into the angular vector beam can be realized by adjusting directions of phase plates. The feasibility and potential applications in atom optics are analysed and discussed showing that our scheme has a good potential application in atom optics.