A quantum communication method, an apparatus, and a system are provided. The method includes: modulating a first symbol to an ith direction vector of a first electric wave based on a preset mapping relationship, to obtain a second electric wave; and transmitting the second electric wave, where the first electric wave supports M direction vectors, the ith direction vector of the first electric wave is one of the M direction vectors of the first electric wave, the first symbol is a symbol corresponding to first data, the ith direction vector of the first electric wave corresponds to an ith distribution result, the ith distribution result is obtained by converting the second electric wave into an energy quantum. The first symbol may be modulated to a direction vector of the first electric wave, and this application is compatible with the conventional technology.