An apparatus (100) is provided for controlling an intake valve (3) of a vehicular internal combustion engine (1). The apparatus includes a variable valve operating mechanism (5, 6) configured to vary a valve lift and a valve phase angle of the intake valve, and a controller (10). The controller calculates an desired first target value at a current engine operating condition, a reacceleration estimated value based on an engine rotational speed and estimated operating load upon reacceleration, and a second target value at which engine torque is equivalent to engine torque at the first target value. The controller sets the first target value as a control target value, and then switches the control target value to the second target value when a minimum clearance between the intake valve and apiston is determined to become less than a permissible value during variation of the intake valve from the first target value toward the reacceleration estimated value.