Stock-Based Compensation (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	6 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
January 1, 2011	116
Granted	15
Redeemed for common stock	(44)
Outstanding at April 2, 2011	87
Granted	$ 14.78

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for phantom stock units.

+ Details

Name:	vsh_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementPhantomStockUnitsGrantedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairvalue
Namespace Prefix:	vsh
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of Phantom stock units, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ Details

Name:	vsh_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementPhantomStockUnitsNumber
Namespace Prefix:	vsh
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of phantom stock units granted during the period.

+ Details

Name:	vsh_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementPhantomStockUnitsNumberGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	vsh
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of phantom stock units redeemed for common stock.

+ Details

Name:	vsh_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementPhantomStockUnitsRedeemedForCommonstock
Namespace Prefix:	vsh
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration