Water and soil erosion due to destruction of forest vegetation by the intense human activities and frequent rainstorm in mountainous and hilly area of southern China has attracted extensive attention. Forest vegetation restoration is an effective measure to control water and soil erosion because of the changes in reaction interfaces in forests, such as canopy structure, floor cover and soil characteristics, and thus affecting the rainfall erosion processes. Therefore, this study makes a systematic review of the relevant research results at domestic and abroad. From the research perspectives of vegetation canopy structure (canopy and understory vegetation), floor cover (litter and biological soil crust) and soil properties (root system, microorganism and aggregate) to reduce rainfall erosivity and enhance soil erosion resistance, this study analyzed the processes and underlying mechanisms of forest vegetation restoration on water and soil erosion, and put forward the existing problems and research trends. It is very important to deeply understand the regulation mechanisms of forest vegetation restoration on water and soil erosion and improve the soil and water conservation benefits of forest in mountainous and hilly area in southern China.