The invention relates to the field of virology and tumor therapy. In particular, the present invention provides a recombinant herpes simplex virus (HSV) capable of specifically replicating at a high level in a tumor cell and effectively killing the tumor cell, but replicating at low levels in normal cells, thereby the recombinant herpes simplex virus of the present invention not only has high lethality against tumor cells, but also has significantly decreased side effects (especially neurotoxicity). Further, the present invention relates to a viral vector constructed based on the recombinant herpes simplex virus, a pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinant herpes simplex virus or the viral vector, and the use of the recombinant herpes simplex virus or the viral vector. The recombinant herpes simplex virus of the present invention can be used to infect and kill tumor cells, and can be used for gene drug delivery into tumor cells for gene therapy.