ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES (Discontinued Operations - Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Apr. 30, 2013
Apr. 30, 2014
Jan. 31, 2014
Nov. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Jan. 12, 2012
Jul. 27, 2009
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Gain from disposal subsidiary $ 1,319 $ 6 $ 1,472              
Vimicro Qingdao [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Beneficially held equity interest 18.00%                  
Vimicro Shenzhen [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Approved operating period 20 years                  
Vimicro Tianshi [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Cash consideration of transfer of equity interest       10,000            
Vimicro China [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Ownership interest percentage 100.00%                  
Vimicro China [Member] | Vimicro Wuxi [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Beneficially held equity interest     0.10%              
VMF Shanghai [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Cash consideration of transfer of equity interest     10,410              
Gain from disposal subsidiary     1,133              
VMF Shenzhen [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Ownership interest percentage                 100.00%  
VMF Shenzhen [Member] | Vimicro Shenzhen [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Ownership interest percentage                 100.00%  
VMF Shenzhen [Member] | Vimicro Tianshi [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Cash consideration of transfer of equity interest   5,000     1,200 3,800        
Vimicro Shanghai [Member] | Vimicro Xingguang Corporation [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Cash consideration of transfer of equity interest             10,410      
Mobile business [Member] | Vimicro Qingdao [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Consideration from disposal of business               4,202    
Mobile business [Member] | Vimicro China [Member] | Vimicro Qingdao [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Ownership interest percentage               18.00%    
Mobile business [Member] | Vimicro Wuxi [Member] | Vimicro Qingdao [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Ownership interest percentage               19.00%    
Mobile business [Member] | VMF Consulting Company [Member] | Vimicro Qingdao [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Ownership interest percentage               14.00%    
VMF Shenzhen [Member] | Vimicro Tianshi [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Cash consideration of transfer of equity interest   5,000                
Consideration from disposal of equity interest       10,000            
Outstanding consideration   $ 5,000                
Visiondigi [Member] | Vimicro China [Member]                    
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]                    
Ownership interest percentage                   61.50%