This　paper　proposes　an　efficient　scheme　for　quantum　communication　between　two　atoms　trapped　in　distant　cavities　which　are　connected　by　an　optical　fibre.　During　the　operation,　all　the　atomic　system,　the　cavity　modes　and　the　fibre　are　not　excited.　The　quantum　state　is　mediated　by　the　vacuum　fields.　The　idea　can　be　used　to　realize　quantum　entanglement　between　two　distant　atoms　via　vacuum.　©　2010　Chinese　Physical　Society　and　IOP　Publishing　Ltd.