The preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes with high mechanical strength via vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS) is still a great challenge. In this study, high strength PVDF membranes with cellular pore structure are successfully prepared by comprehensively regulating the process parameters such as the dissolution temperature (T-d), vapor temperature (T-v) and exposure time (t) during the VIPS process, as well as the membrane-forming parameter i.e. mass fraction of PVDF polymer. The effects of these parameters on microstructure and performances of the PVDF membranes are systematically investigated. In the investigated ranges of t from 0.67 min to 20 min, the membranes with cellular structure are obtained at both elevated Td and Tv of 65 degrees C, relative humidity of 70% RH and mass fraction of 15 wt% PVDF. All the PVDF membranes with cellular structure prepared at elevated T-d and T-v of 65 degrees C exhibit high mechanical properties, and the tensile stress at break (sigma*) and tensile strain are higher than 2.5 MPa and 15%, respectively. The PVDF membrane prepared at t of 0.5 min has a critical structure and shows the maximum sigma* of 4.0 MPa and tensile strain of 33%, respectively. It is expected that the results provide a valuable guidance for the design and fabrication of membranes from semi-crystalline polymer with desirable performances.