In order to make up for the problem that the tensor-based spatial smoothing DOA estimation algorithm cannot make good use of the physical aperture of the array, this paper proposes a tensor-based array virtual translation DOA estimation algorithm. Under the framework of the tensor-based DOA estimation algorithm, the algorithm applies the array virtual translation technique to the factor matrix obtained after tensor decomposition, which can be expanded into signal subspace and approximately has a Vandermonde structure. Furthermore, the available array aperture of the algorithm is expanded, the estimation accuracy is improved, and the limitation of the physical array aperture on the algorithm’s multi-target estimation ability is broken. Since the processing technique proposed in this paper has nothing to do with the construction of tensors, this technique is suitable for all DOA estimation algorithms based on tensors. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation verify the effectiveness of the algorithm proposed in this paper.