Embodiments relate to vector processors. An aspect includes endian-mode-sensitive memory instructions for a vector processor. One embodiment includes a computer-implemented method for copying data between a vector register that includes byte elements 0 to S and a memory that is byte addressable. The computer-implemented method includes obtaining a vector instruction by a processor in a computer. The processor determines that the vector instruction is a memory access instruction specifying the vector register and a memory address. In response to the determination that is instruction is a memory access instruction and independent of a current global endian mode setting that is selectable in the processor, the processor executes the memory access instruction by copying the byte data between the memory and the vector register so that the byte element n of the vector register corresponds to the memory address+n for n=0 to S.