This study aims to investigate the effect of admixture glacial acetic acid on the setting time, compressive strength, and hydration temperature of magnesium phosphate cement. The mechanism of the effect of glacial acetic acid was analyzed by introducing X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. It is demonstrated that addition of glacial acetic acid into the hardening process of MPC could directly affect the curing effect and setting time by changing the concentration of H⁺ in the mixture. At the same time, the strength of the hardened body was improved and the hydration heat release characteristics of MPC were changed, which favored in dealing with limited retarding effect and poor operability of MPC.