It's said to kill a vampire you stab a stake through its heart. Some say Holy Water can burn vampires because they are creatures of death and destruction. Garlic is supposed to repel vampires so they can't bite your neck.
Silver is said to be another way of killing vampires.
Using silver stakes to stab a vampire leave wounds that don't heal. Sunlight is said to be a way of frying a vampire. They turn to ashes when they are touched by its heat. That's for you to decide.