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Business Segment Information (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2012
Business segment information (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |
Direct controlling interest in subsidiary |  |  | 50.00%
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary |  |  | 30.00%
Proceeds from patent litigation settlement | $ 7.5 | $ 7.5 |
NL Industries Inc [Member] |  |  |
Business segment information (Textual) [Abstract] |  |  |
Total controlling interest |  |  | 83.00%
Proceeds from patent litigation settlement | $ 7.5 |  |

X
- Definition Percentage of voting equity interests acquired in the business combination. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1392-128463 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 68 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
Name: | vhi_BusinessSegmentInformationTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | vhi_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Controlling interest in subsidiary held directly by parent. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vhi_DirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix: | vhi_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Controlling interest in subsidiary held indirectly through controlled subsidiary of parent. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | vhi_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Proceeds from legal settlement related to patent claims. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | vhi_ProceedsFromPatentLitigationSettlement
Namespace Prefix: | vhi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration