Low-cost and high-safety aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) show great potential in energy storage for the grid. We propose a strategy to construct the self-assembled microspheres with the cerium oxide nanocrystals anchored on B-phase vanadium dioxide nanobelts, which are encapsulated by carbon (CVC), as cathode for high capacity and cycle stability of AZIBs. The rambutan-like structure with large specific surface area provides more active sites for the overall improvement of reaction kinetics; the carbon layer relieves vanadium dioxide from dissolving in the electrolyte while enhancing electron transfer rate; and electrocatalytic activity of cerium oxide accelerates redox reaction to enhance the performance of the cells. Consequently, the CVC electrode exhibits excellent electrochemical properties, including a reversible specific capacity (490 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), incredible cycle (84 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 5 A g−1). The excellent performance demonstrates the correctness of the combined internal and external modification strategy, while the simple hydrothermal method and inexpensive raw materials point to a new direction for the large-scale preparation of high-performance aqueous zinc ion batteries.