A systematic study was made of the rapid synthesis of VO2 (B) platelet morphologies, by regulating the hydrothermal synthesis variables such as temperature and duration. This study enabled us to present a rapid preparation procedure and formation sequence for layered VO2 (B) from V2O5. The resultant phase and its phase conversion process have been evidenced through extensive in situ X-ray powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy measurements. Finally the optimized phase transition temperature to thermochromic VO2 (M1) is presented.