The progress of determination of rare earths by atomic/ionic fluorescence spectrometry is reviewed. The experimental systems and the analytical characteristics of the technique are briefly discussed, and its applications are illustrated in detail. The research trends are predicted as well. The systems with appropriate combinations of excitation sources and atomization/ionization cells are well proved to increase analytical sensitivity and minimize interferences. For the excitation soures, hollow cathode lamp has been proved to be economic and practical, although pulsed dye laser has been intensively investigated. The inductively oupled plasma is a preferable atomization/ionization cell. The atomic/ionic fluorescene spectrometry is one of effective techniques for the determination of rare earths mainly due to its low spectral interference and wide linear dynamic range.