A　multi-hole　vertical-cavity　surface-emitting　laser　(VCSEL)　operating　in　stable　single　mode　with　a　low　threshold　current　was　produced　by　introducing　multi-leaf　scallop　holes　on　the　top　distributed　Bragg-reflector　of　an　oxidation-confined　850　nm　VCSEL.　The　single-mode　output　power　of　2.6　mW,　threshold　current　of　0.6　mA,　full　width　of　half　maximum　lasing　spectrum　of　less　than　0.1　nm,　side　mode　suppression　ratio　of　28.4　dB,　and　far-field　divergence　angle　of　about　10　degrees　are　obtained.　The　effects　of　different　hole　depths　on　the　optical　characteristics　are　simulated　and　analysed,　including　far-field　divergence,　spectrum　and　lateral　cavity　mode.　The　single-mode　performance　of　this　multi-hole　device　is　attributed　to　the　large　radiation　loss　from　the　inter-hole　spacing　and　the　scattering　loss　at　the　bottom　of　the　holes,　particularly　for　higher　order　modes.