Fluorescence imaging is an important technique used for early diagnosis and effective treatment of some incurable diseases including cancer. Herein, we report novel NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ / Er 3+ @silica-TPGS bio-nano complexes for labeling cancer cells. The NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal route, further coated with a silica shell, and functionalized with D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). The experimental results indicate that NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ @silica-TPGS emits stronger upconversion luminescence than NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ under an excitation of 980 nm. More significantly, the NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ @silica-TPGS bio-nano complexes could strongly label MCF-7 breast cancer cells for in vitro experiments detected by a fluorescence microscope. On the other hand, the complex could not typically probe healthy cells, which are HEK-293A human embryonic kidney cells, under the same experimental conditions. Because of their strong upconversion luminescence, good dispersibility, and biocompatibility, NaYF 4 :Yb 3+ /Er 3+ @silica-TPGS bio-nano complexes can be a promising candidate/probe for biomedical labeling and diagnostics.