The invention discloses a virtual machine data backup optimization method and system. The method includes: step 1, installing VDBA plug-in on a virtualization server, configuring VDBA IP address of the virtualization server, and establishing a safety communication channel between the virtualization server and the VDBA plug-in; step 2, determining selection and backup dispatching and data retentionof a virtual machine to be backed up by the virtualization server,, and assigning and sending to the VDBA plug-in as a selection result; step 3, after the VDBA plug-in receives the selection result,and making virtual machine snapshot according to the selection result; step 4, mounting the virtual machine snapshot on the VDBA plug-in, and judging whether repeating data exist or not; step 5, if yes, clearing repeating data of the virtual machine snapshot to take as backup data; step 6, enabling the VDBA plug-in to transmit the backup data to a backup server. The repeating data are detected anddeleted through the VDBA plug-in, so that storage space is greatly saved, a backup process is accelerated, and backup efficiency is improved.