Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor of digestive system, and the third leading cause of cancer-related death with no effective treatment available at present. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules with a transcript length of more than 200 nt and lack a protein-coding ability. Currently, lncRNAs are considered to play important roles in proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, drug resistance and cancer stem cells regulation of HCC. Combined with the latest research progress in this field, the authors address the concept, characteristics and action mode of lncRNAs and their actions in the occurrence and development of HCC, and the exploration of lncRNA-based treatment of HCC. As an important regulator of HCC, lncRNAs are promising biomarkers and targets for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.