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Business Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Litigation settlement	$ 35	$ 35
Kronos Worldwide, Inc.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct controlling interest in subsidiary	50.00%	50.00%
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary	30.00%	30.00%
Total controlling interest	80.00%	80.00%
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. | Contran
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Common stock pledged as collateral	12.0	12.0
NL
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total controlling interest	83.00%	83.00%

X

- Definition

Amount of litigation expense, including but not limited to legal, forensic, accounting, and investigative fees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Common Stock Shares Pledged As Collateral

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vhi_CommonStockSharesPledgedAsCollateral
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- 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

X

- Definition

Controlling interest in subsidiary held indirectly through controlled subsidiary of parent.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vhi_IndirectControllingInterestInSubsidiary
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant