Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
Jul. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Held-to-maturity Securities, Transferred Security, at Carrying Value	$ 0
Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Gain	0
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Held-to-maturity Securities	0
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(826)	$ (854)
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	873,500	860,600
Carrying value of long-term debt, excluding derivative liabilities	359,493	367,049
Derivative, Notional Amount	105,644	100,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Assets held in rabbi trusts	43,502	41,917
Available for sale securities	4,335	3,969
Fair Value Assets	47,837	45,886
Liabilities:
Fair Value Liabilities	(826)	(854)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Assets held in rabbi trusts	27,940	27,297
Available for sale securities	4,335	3,969
Fair Value Assets	32,275	31,266
Liabilities:
Fair Value Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Assets held in rabbi trusts	15,562	14,620
Available for sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Assets	15,562	14,620
Liabilities:
Fair Value Liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Assets:
Assets held in rabbi trusts	0	0
Available for sale securities	0	0
Fair Value Assets	0	0
Liabilities:
Fair Value Liabilities	(826)	(854)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(349)	(393)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(349)	(393)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	0	0
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	0	0
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2040 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(349)	(393)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(293)	(285)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(293)	(285)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	0	0
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	0	0
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2041 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(293)	(285)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2042 [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(184)	(176)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2042 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	(184)	(176)
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2042 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	0	0
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2042 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	0	0
Convertible Senior Debentures, Due 2042 [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Liabilities:
Embedded derivative	$ (184)	$ (176)

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
-Section 13
-Sentence Column B

+ Details

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65884222&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (aa)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66010992&loc=d3e26610-111562

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives classified as a liability.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624163-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

For any transfer of securities categorized as held-to-maturity, this item represents the net carrying amount of the transferred security to another category of investments in debt and equity securities (trading or available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27405-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesTransferredSecurityAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of unrecognized gain before loss on investments in held-to-maturity securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesUnrecognizedHoldingGains
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount by which the fair value of an investment in debt securities categorized as Held-to-maturity is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying value of long-term debt, excluding the derivative liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vsh_LongTermDebtExcludingDerivativeLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	vsh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value as of the balance sheet date of assets held in rabbi trusts to fund payments under deferred compensation and non-qualified pension plans.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vsh_RabbiTrustAssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	vsh_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vsh_ConvertibleSeniorDebenturesDue2040Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vsh_ConvertibleSeniorDebenturesDue2041Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=vsh_ConvertibleSeniorDebenturesDue2042Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: