Vanadium oxide hydrate has been used in a new, robust, and inexpensive shape-templating synthesis leading to silica nanotubes (SiO2-NTs, see Figure) with good chemical purity, a well-defined morphology, and high aspect ratio. Unidimensional nanosized cavities or channels are made accessible through the open ends of the SiO2-NTs, which can be functionalized, thus generating particles with magnetic, catalytic, or uptake/release behavior.