Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 49,236us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 38,692us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 30,622us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,499	12,631	10,608
Non-cash stock-based expense	3,251us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	2,519us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	5,563us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Acceleration of interest expense related to debt conversion	5,205	12,414	14,960
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(540)	170	0
Deferred income taxes	22,026us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	466us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit	(7,336)us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
(Income) loss on long-term investments accounted under the equity method	(1,242)	(2,066)	1,261
Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities	11us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLoss	(5,152)us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLoss	(1,640)us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLoss
Equity income on investments in real estate ventures	(4,103)	(22,925)	(29,764)
Distributions from investments in real estate ventures	5,152	4,251	19,169
Non-cash interest expense	35,584vgr_NonCashInterestExpenseIncome	22,995vgr_NonCashInterestExpenseIncome	28,150vgr_NonCashInterestExpenseIncome
(Gain) loss on warrants	(572)vgr_GainLossOnWarrants	(1,165)vgr_GainLossOnWarrants	1,193vgr_GainLossOnWarrants
Non-cash interest income	(144)vgr_NonCashInterestIncome	(861)vgr_NonCashInterestIncome	0vgr_NonCashInterestIncome
Gain on acquisition of Douglas Elliman	0	(60,842)	0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(11,197)us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables	5,975us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables	13,622us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReceivables
Inventories	3,173us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	6,897us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories	8,837us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	5,708	41,047	4,497
Payments due under the Master Settlement Agreement	(925)	(32,690)	(14,903)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(27,746)	29,670	(753)
Net cash provided by operating activities	107,376	52,026	84,086
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities	156,604	117,729	3,831
Purchase of investment securities	(305,731)	(170,964)	(5,647)
Proceeds from sale or liquidation of long-term investments	549	580	72
Purchase of long-term investments	(12,000)	(5,000)	(5,000)
(Increase) decrease in restricted assets	(872)	1,081	(1,130)
Investments in real estate ventures	(40,916)	(75,731)	(33,375)
Distributions from investments in real estate ventures	7,309	3,142	49,221
Issuance of notes receivable	(8,250)	(8,600)	(383)
Cash acquired in Douglas Elliman consolidation	0us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition	116,935us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition	0us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets	4	48	444
Capital expenditures	(23,404)	(13,275)	(11,265)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies	(484)	(628)	(907)
Purchase of subsidiaries	(750)	(67,616)	0
Repayment of notes receivable	6,717	10,347	0
Purchase of preferred securities	(1,000)	0	0
Pay down of investment securities	790	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(221,434)	(91,952)	(4,139)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	413,914	457,767	244,075
Repayments of debt	(12,601)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	(422,581)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt	(19,258)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Deferred financing charges	(12,360)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts	(11,750)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts	(11,479)us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts
Borrowings under revolver	886,130us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit	978,788us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit	1,074,050us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
Repayments on revolver	(898,788)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	(977,794)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit	(1,066,092)us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit
Distributions on common stock	(167,328)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(144,711)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(137,114)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(9,339)	(11,764)	0
Proceeds from the issuance of Vector stock	0	0	611
Proceeds from exercise of Vector options	5,151	544	140
Tax benefit of options exercised	1,178	38	52
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	205,957	(131,463)	84,985
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	91,899	(171,389)	164,932
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	234,466	405,855	240,923
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 326,365	$ 234,466	$ 405,855

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The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

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The cash inflow from the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, treasury stock, stock options, and other types of equity.

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Amount of cash inflow from contractual arrangement with the lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

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Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from (to) a noncontrolling interest. Excludes dividends paid to the noncontrolling interest.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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The cash inflow from a loan, supported by a promissory note, granted to related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth.

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Amount of cash outflow for payment of an obligation from a lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements.

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The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

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Acceleration of Interest Expense Related to Debt Conversion

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Distributions from non-consolidated real estate businesses

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Gain Loss On Long Term Investments Accounted Under Equity Method

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Gain (Loss) On Warrants

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Gain on Acquisition of Additional Interest in Affiliate

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Increase decrease in cash surrender value of life insurance policies.

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Increase (Decrease) Payments Due Under Master Settlement Agreement

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Non-cash interest expense (income)

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Non-Cash Interest Income

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Payments for Purchase of Preferred Securities

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