Decrease in water potentials in the environment can impose osmotic stress to plants. Soil salinity is one of the major causes of osmotic stress of plants. Rice is known to be sensitive to salt stress. Therefore, soil salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting growth and productivity of rice plants. The accumulation of compatible solutes is often considered as a basic strategy for protection of plants from salt stress. Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channel proteins that facilitate the water movement across membrane. The mechanisms underlying salt stress tolerance of rice plants are far from being completely understood. The present review summarizes the major research advances in elucidating the roles of compatible solutes and AQPs in salt tolerance of rice plants.