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

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity 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. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

+ 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=7534914&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594

+ Details

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

- Definition

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

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

- Definition

Contractual rate at which a foreign currency can be purchased or sold.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeForwardExchangeRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Aggregate impact of foreign currency derivatives on earnings for the period. Includes impact of foreign currency cash flow hedge ineffectiveness and the ineffectiveness of fair value hedging derivatives and full change in fair value of the foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 25

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4D

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624177-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-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.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959

+ Details

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

- Definition

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 4

-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.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

- Definition

Notional amount of currency the company is contractually obligated to exchange per month.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vhi_DerivativeForwardExchangeContractMaturityPerMonth
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	vhi_FinancialInstrumentAtFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Foreign Currency Contract Asset Liability Net Fair Value Disclosure

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vhi_ForeignCurrencyContractAssetLiabilityNetFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	vhi_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Financial instruments and fair value measurements - Additional Information (Detail)						3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Kronos International, Inc. [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Kronos International, Inc. [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Canadian Dollar [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Canadian Dollar [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] U S Dollar [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] U.S. Dollar [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] U.S. Dollar [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Minimum [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] U.S. Dollar [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Maximum [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Euro [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Euro [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Minimum [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Euro [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Maximum [Member]
Financial Instrument At Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount currency forward contract								$ 33,000,000	$ 20,000,000			€ 18,000,000
Exchange floor rate							1.02			5.84	6.02		7.48	7.57
Maturity rate of derivative							3,000,000		5,000,000			2,000,000
Estimated fair value of currency forward contracts	(100,000)	1,800,000				100,000
Accounts and other receivables						100,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities						200,000
Currency transaction gain						100,000
Estimated market price of the notes				1,016.3	1,017.5
Principal amount of debt instrument				1,000	1,000
Redemption price of investment			$ 250,000,000