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(Investment in Non-Consolidated Real Estate Businesses Schedules) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Feb. 28, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
May 31, 2014
Aug. 31, 2014
Aug. 31, 2013
Oct. 31, 2014
Jul. 31, 2012
Nov. 30, 2013
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures $ 163,460us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures $ 128,202us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures                  
Eleven Beach Street [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 1,519us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ElevenBeachStreetMember		                    
New Valley LLC [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 163,460us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember		 128,202us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember		                  
Equity method investments 10,643us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember		 20,911us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | Land Development [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 5,037us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_LandDevelopmentMember		 5,037us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_LandDevelopmentMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | Milanosesto Holdings (f/k/a Sesto Holdings) [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 5,037us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_MilanosestoHoldingsfkaSestoHoldingsMember		 5,037us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_MilanosestoHoldingsfkaSestoHoldingsMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | Condominium and Mixed Use Development [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 108,150us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_CondominiumandMixedUseDevelopmentMember		 71,358us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_CondominiumandMixedUseDevelopmentMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | 10 Madison Square Park West (f/k/a 1107 Broadway) [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 6,384us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A10MadisonSquareParkWestfka1107BroadwayMember		 6,579us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A10MadisonSquareParkWestfka1107BroadwayMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | The Whitman [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 0us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_TheWhitmanMember		 1,165us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_TheWhitmanMember		 900us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_TheWhitmanMember		                
New Valley LLC [Member] | The Marquand [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 12,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_TheMarquandMember		 7,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_TheMarquandMember		   7,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_TheMarquandMember		              
New Valley LLC [Member] | Eleven Beach Street [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 12,328us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ElevenBeachStreetMember		 11,160us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ElevenBeachStreetMember		     9,642us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ElevenBeachStreetMember		            
Equity method investments 2,178us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ElevenBeachStreetMember		                    
New Valley LLC [Member] | 20 Times Square (f/k/a 701 Seventh Avenue) [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 12,481us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A20TimesSquarefka701SeventhAvenueMember		 11,148us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A20TimesSquarefka701SeventhAvenueMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | 111 Murray Street [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 27,319us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_OneZeroOneMurrayStreetMember		 19,256us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_OneZeroOneMurrayStreetMember		                  
Equity method investments 8,063us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_OneZeroOneMurrayStreetMember		                    
New Valley LLC [Member] | 160 Leroy Street [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures   1,150us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A160LeroyStreetMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | PUBLIC Chrystie House (f/k/a Chrystie Street) [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 3,300us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_PUBLICChrystieHousefkaChrystieStreetMember		 2,048us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_PUBLICChrystieHousefkaChrystieStreetMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | 25-19 43rd Avenue [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 733us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A251943rdAvenueMember		 0us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A251943rdAvenueMember		       733us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A251943rdAvenueMember		          
New Valley LLC [Member] | Queens Plaza (f/k/a 23-10 Queens Plaza South) [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 11,082us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_QueensPlazafka2310QueensPlazaSouthMember		 8,058us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_QueensPlazafka2310QueensPlazaSouthMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | 8701 Collins Avenue [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 6,144us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A8701CollinsAvenueMember		 3,794us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A8701CollinsAvenueMember		                  
Equity method investments 2,250us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A8701CollinsAvenueMember		 3,750us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A8701CollinsAvenueMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | 125 Greenwich Street [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 9,308us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A125GreenwichStreetMember		 0us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A125GreenwichStreetMember		           7,308us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A125GreenwichStreetMember		      
Equity method investments             2,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A125GreenwichStreetMember		        
New Valley LLC [Member] | 9040 Sunset Boulevard West Hollywood, CA [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 5,604us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A9040SunsetBoulevardWestHollywoodCAMember		 0us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A9040SunsetBoulevardWestHollywoodCAMember		             5,604us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_A9040SunsetBoulevardWestHollywoodCAMember		    
New Valley LLC [Member] | Apartment Buildings [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 18,517us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ApartmentBuildingsMember		 19,482us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ApartmentBuildingsMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | Maryland Portfolio [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 3,234us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_MarylandPortfolioMember		 3,498us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_MarylandPortfolioMember		               5,000us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_MarylandPortfolioMember		  
New Valley LLC [Member] | ST Portfolio [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 15,283us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_STPortfolioMember		 15,984us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_STPortfolioMember		                 16,365us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_STPortfolioMember
New Valley LLC [Member] | Hotels [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 29,786us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_HotelsMember		 29,906us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_HotelsMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | Park Lane Hotel [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 19,341us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ParkLaneHotelMember		 19,514us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ParkLaneHotelMember		                 19,331us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ParkLaneHotelMember
Equity method investments 2,470us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_ParkLaneHotelMember		                    
New Valley LLC [Member] | Hotel Taiwana [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 7,629us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_HotelTaiwanaMember		 7,428us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_HotelTaiwanaMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | Coral Beach and Tennis Club [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures 2,816us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_CoralBeachandTennisClubMember		 2,964us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= vgr_CoralBeachandTennisClubMember		                  
New Valley LLC [Member] | Other Investments [Member]                      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]                      
Investments in real estate ventures $ 1,970us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember		 $ 2,419us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember