The invention relates to a rotary vane vacuum pump, and belongs to the technical field of vacuum. The rotary vane vacuum pump comprises a pump body 1, a rotor 2, rotary vanes 3, an end cover 4, a spring 5, a high-grade operating cavity 6 and rotary vane cavities 7. The rotary vane vacuum pump is provided with two low-grade operating cavities, namely the rotary vane cavities; the rotary vane cavities can be used alternatively when the pump is used for a long time; the novel rotary vane pump can be used under relatively poor condition, thus the practicability is wide.