Aims. We aim to measure lifetimes of levels belonging to the 3d
3
(
4
F)4d subconfiguration in Va II, and derive absolute transition probabilities by combining the lifetimes with experimental branching fractions. Methods. The lifetimes were measured using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence in a two-photon excitation scheme. The branching fractions were measured in intensity calibrated spectra from a hollow cathode discharge lamp, recorded with a Fourier transform spectrometer. Results. We report lifetimes for 13 levels at an energy around 73 000 cm
-1
. Absolute transition probabilities of 78 lines are derived by combining the lifetimes and branching fractions. The experimental values are compared with theoretical data from the literature.