Amount of distribution received from equity method investee for return on investment, classified as operating activities. Excludes distribution for return of investment, classified as investing activities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(10))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 21D
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=SL94080555-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of interest capitalized during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the portion of interest incurred in the period on debt arrangements that was charged against earnings, excluding amortization of debt discount (premium) and financing costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the purchase of real estate held for investment purposes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Cash received for commissions during the current period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of distribution received from equity method investee for return of investment, classified as investing activities. Excludes distribution for return on investment, classified as operating activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 21D
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=SL94080555-108585

+ Details

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

- Definition

The book value of investments in real estate joint ventures including direct and indirect investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

- 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.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The carrying amount of the consolidated Variable Interest Entity's assets included in the reporting entity's statement of financial position.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (bb)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77990344&loc=d3e5710-111685

+ Details

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

- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph b
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77990344&loc=d3e5728-111685

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 810
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77990344&loc=d3e5747-111685

+ Details

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

- Definition

Distributions from Real Estate Ventures

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vgr_DistributionsfromRealEstateVentures
Namespace Prefix:	vgr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity Income (Loss) from Real Estate Ventures

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vgr_EquityIncomeLossfromRealEstateVentures
Namespace Prefix:	vgr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity Method Investment, Committed Future Contributions

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vgr_EquityMethodInvestmentCommittedFutureContributions
Namespace Prefix:	vgr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Variable Interest Entities

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vgr_NumberofVariableInterestEntities
Namespace Prefix:	vgr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=vgr_NewValleyLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=vgr_MonadTerraceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=vgr_WitkoffGPPartnersLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=vgr_NewBrooklandEastLLCMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=vgr_NewYorkCityStandardMetropolitanStatisticalAreaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=us-gaap_MultifamilyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=vgr_AllOtherU.S.AreasExcludingNewYorkCityStandardMetropolitanStatisticalAreaMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=us-gaap_ApartmentBuildingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=us-gaap_HotelMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=us-gaap_NonUsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=us-gaap_RetailSiteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=us-gaap_OtherPropertyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=vgr_DouglasEllimanRealtyLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

New Valley LLC (Investment in Real Estate Ventures) (Details) $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) venture	Apr. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) venture	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) venture	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	$ 210,089			$ 210,089		$ 210,089		$ 221,258
Total contributions						20,830	$ 23,358
Distributions from real estate ventures						32,358	17,099
Distributions from investments in real estate ventures						23,338	23,041
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				(47)	$ 1,022	26,357	3,328
New Valley LLC
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	210,089			210,089		210,089		$ 221,258
Total contributions						20,830	23,358
Distributions						55,696	40,140
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				(47)	1,022	26,357	3,328
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 217,448			217,448		217,448
Interest costs capitalized				$ 1,108	3,275		8,111
Interest expense						$ (2,659)
New Valley LLC \| Monad Terrace [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	18.00%			18.00%		18.00%		24.30%
New Valley LLC \| Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Number of real estate ventures \| venture	2			2		2
VIE's assets	$ 14,585			$ 14,585		$ 14,585		$ 14,385
New Valley LLC \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary \| Witkoff GP Partners LLC [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership			15.00%
Payments to acquire equity method investments	8,655		$ 1,170
Total maximum exposure to loss	9,723			9,723		9,723
Committed future contributions	10,175			10,175		10,175
New Valley LLC \| Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary \| New Brookland East LLC [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership		9.80%
Payments to acquire equity method investments		$ 402
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 418			$ 418		$ 418
New Valley LLC \| New York City SMSA \| Minimum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	3.10%			3.10%		3.10%
New Valley LLC \| New York City SMSA \| Maximum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	49.50%			49.50%		49.50%
New Valley LLC \| Condominium and Mixed Use Development
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	$ 153,661			$ 153,661		$ 153,661		172,720
Total contributions						9,468	20,353
Distributions						53,729	29,894
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				41	1,568	28,321	3,347
Total maximum exposure to loss	161,020			161,020		161,020
New Valley LLC \| Condominium and Mixed Use Development \| New York City SMSA
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	124,003			124,003		124,003		131,770
Total contributions						872	4,238
Distributions						35,780	19,849
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				(55)	1,984	29,241	4,594
Total maximum exposure to loss	125,600			125,600		125,600
New Valley LLC \| Condominium and Mixed Use Development \| All other U.S. areas
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	29,658			29,658		29,658		40,950
Total contributions						8,596	16,115
Distributions						17,949	10,045
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				96	(416)	(920)	(1,247)
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 35,420			$ 35,420		$ 35,420
New Valley LLC \| Condominium and Mixed Use Development \| All other U.S. areas \| Minimum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	15.00%			15.00%		15.00%
New Valley LLC \| Condominium and Mixed Use Development \| All other U.S. areas \| Maximum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	48.50%			48.50%		48.50%
New Valley LLC \| Apartment Buildings
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	$ 7,598			$ 7,598		$ 7,598		8,287
Distributions						239	8,821
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				197	43	(450)	2,189
Total maximum exposure to loss	7,598			7,598		7,598
New Valley LLC \| Apartment Buildings \| All other U.S. areas
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	7,598			7,598		7,598		8,287
Distributions						239	8,821
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				197	43	(450)	2,189
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 7,598			$ 7,598		$ 7,598
New Valley LLC \| Apartment Buildings \| All other U.S. areas \| Minimum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	7.60%			7.60%		7.60%
New Valley LLC \| Apartment Buildings \| All other U.S. areas \| Maximum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	16.30%			16.30%		16.30%
New Valley LLC \| Hotels
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	$ 24,632			$ 24,632		$ 24,632		24,932
Total contributions						1,537	3,005
Distributions						239	0
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				(95)	(743)	(1,597)	(1,587)
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 24,632			$ 24,632		$ 24,632
New Valley LLC \| Hotels \| New York City SMSA
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	5.20%			5.20%		5.20%
Investments in real estate ventures	$ 21,642			$ 21,642		$ 21,642		21,895
Total contributions						1,537	2,515
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				(584)	(518)	(1,790)	(1,592)
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 21,642			$ 21,642		$ 21,642
New Valley LLC \| Hotels \| International
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	49.00%			49.00%		49.00%
Investments in real estate ventures	$ 2,990			$ 2,990		$ 2,990		3,037
Total contributions						0	490
Distributions						239	0
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				489	(225)	193	5
Total maximum exposure to loss	2,990			2,990		2,990
New Valley LLC \| Commercial
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	12,480			12,480		12,480		13,290
Distributions						339	375
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				(38)	(81)	(471)	(1,613)
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 12,480			$ 12,480		$ 12,480
New Valley LLC \| Commercial \| New York City SMSA
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	49.00%			49.00%		49.00%
Investments in real estate ventures	$ 2,487			$ 2,487		$ 2,487		3,290
Distributions						101	375
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				(333)	(81)	(702)	(1,613)
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 2,487			$ 2,487		$ 2,487
New Valley LLC \| Commercial \| All other U.S. areas
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	2.10%			2.10%		2.10%
Investments in real estate ventures	$ 9,993			$ 9,993		$ 9,993		10,000
Distributions						238	0
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				295	0	231	0
Total maximum exposure to loss	9,993			9,993		9,993
New Valley LLC \| Other
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investments in real estate ventures	11,718			11,718		11,718		$ 2,029
Total contributions						9,825	0
Distributions						1,150	1,050
Equity in (losses) earnings from real estate ventures				(152)	$ 235	554	992
Total maximum exposure to loss	$ 11,718			$ 11,718		$ 11,718
New Valley LLC \| Other \| Minimum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	15.00%			15.00%		15.00%
New Valley LLC \| Other \| Maximum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Range of ownership	50.00%			50.00%		50.00%
Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from commissions received						$ 6,179	$ 13,197